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Call to limit taxi drivers' hours | Call to limit taxi drivers' hours |
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Road safety charity Brake is calling on the government to limit the number of hours taxi drivers are allowed to work before they take a proper break. | Road safety charity Brake is calling on the government to limit the number of hours taxi drivers are allowed to work before they take a proper break. |
The move is supported by the family of Gary Glymond who was knocked down and killed by a taxi in South Yorkshire on his 18th birthday in March last year. | The move is supported by the family of Gary Glymond who was knocked down and killed by a taxi in South Yorkshire on his 18th birthday in March last year. |
The driver admitted he had worked for more than 13 hours. | The driver admitted he had worked for more than 13 hours. |
The Department for Transport said drivers had a duty not to drive tired, but there were no plans for regulation. | The Department for Transport said drivers had a duty not to drive tired, but there were no plans for regulation. |
Campaigners say a lack of proper legislation on the number of hours taxi drivers can work in a single shift is dangerous. | Campaigners say a lack of proper legislation on the number of hours taxi drivers can work in a single shift is dangerous. |
Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Many private hire and Hackney carriage drivers are exempt from the European working time directive, which would limit them to working a 48-hour week with a 20-minute break every six hours. | Many private hire and Hackney carriage drivers are exempt from the European working time directive, which would limit them to working a 48-hour week with a 20-minute break every six hours. |
Sue Jackson: ''Taxi drivers can work 24 hours, which should not be allowed'' | |
But Mr Glymond's mother, Sue Jackson, said the law needed to be changed to include them. | But Mr Glymond's mother, Sue Jackson, said the law needed to be changed to include them. |
"We found out, as we've done the petition, that they can work 24 hours, which should not be allowed," she said. | "We found out, as we've done the petition, that they can work 24 hours, which should not be allowed," she said. |
"Can I add it's not a vendetta against taxi drivers, that we've done this. It's for personal safety, for them, for other road users." | "Can I add it's not a vendetta against taxi drivers, that we've done this. It's for personal safety, for them, for other road users." |
Brake advises all drivers to take breaks every two hours on long journeys. | Brake advises all drivers to take breaks every two hours on long journeys. |
Experts say motorists are most vulnerable during the small hours of the morning and in mid-afternoon. | Experts say motorists are most vulnerable during the small hours of the morning and in mid-afternoon. |
Last month, members of the Unite union renewed calls to reduce the number of hours worked by bus drivers after members raised safety concerns. | Last month, members of the Unite union renewed calls to reduce the number of hours worked by bus drivers after members raised safety concerns. |
Some drivers in Greater Manchester told the BBC the five-and-a-half hours they spent behind the wheel before a break put passengers at risk. | Some drivers in Greater Manchester told the BBC the five-and-a-half hours they spent behind the wheel before a break put passengers at risk. |
Stagecoach, one of the city's biggest bus firms, denied the claim and said safety was its "number one priority". | Stagecoach, one of the city's biggest bus firms, denied the claim and said safety was its "number one priority". |