Taxi drivers will be compelled to wear seatbelts from this Thursday following a decision announced yesterday by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan. Marie O'Halloran reports.
The National Taxi Drivers' Union (NTDU) last night ex- pressed its opposition to and disappointment at the regulation change, which it believes will make drivers more vulnerable to attack. The NTDU president, Mr Tommy Gorman, said, however, that members would comply with the law. "Taxi drivers were never people who set out to break the law." he said.
Until now taxi, hackney and limousine drivers, along with gardaí, fire brigade and ambulance drivers were exempt from wearing seat belts.
Mr Brennan said yesterday that, given the overwhelming evidence of the effectiveness of seatbelts in preventing death and reducing serious injury in road accidents, it was no longer possible to justify continuing the exemption.
Gardaí and the emergency services will continue to be exempt.
Mr Gorman said taxi drivers were opposed to the way the measure was being brought in. "We wanted a waist-type belt," he said, similar to that used on planes. It is understood however that the type of belt to be worn will be a matter for discussion.
Mr Gorman said taxi drivers were being "butchered and slaughtered every week" and that in the past 10 days alone two drivers had been attacked - one left for dead after being dragged from his vehicle and bashed over the head with a broken bottle.
Mr Gorman said the changes might bring an attack on a little sooner if an assailant knew the driver was restrained.
The Minister stated, however, that the ending of the seatbelt exemption had been recommended to him by the National Taxi Council, chaired by former Garda commissioner Mr Pat Byrne. The council includes representatives of the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, as well as gardaí, consumers and other interests.
Mr Brennan also reiterated that from August 2nd, anyone applying for or renewing a licence to own, operate or drive a taxi, hackney or limousine must have have tax-clearance certificate.
Mr Gorman said the union had called for this for years and "we are very pleased, because it will really clean up the industry".