A letter to Edinburgh Evening News- interesting views.

Should we hail new test for cabbies?










IT was with great amusement that I read your article regarding driving tests for new taxi drivers (Evening News, December 26).
It was unclear as to whether or not new drivers are to be taught the skills (for want of a better word) of existing taxi drivers.

If so, presumably classes will be run on how to block a one-way street unnecessarily, how to block a two-way street unnecessarily, how to do a U-turn without warning, or travel at speeds of up to 70mph in a restricted 30mph zone, how to rant and rave at members of the public should they obstruct them in any way, and how to drive down a street on the wrong side of the road in the dark with headlights on full beam, belching out ten tonnes of emissions from their exhaust pipes, (who MoTs these vehicles anyway?).

I have always been curious as to how they can commit numerous traffic violations yet be free from prosecution.

Any explanation?

John Belford, Caiystane Gardens, Edinburgh

It's the uncomfortable truth that we do have people who take pride in doing all those things and claim they somehow have a right to do simply because they have a taxi badge. This is where some form of formal training would make a difference.

John Belford, of Caiystane Gardens, Edinburgh is a blinkered idiot. Nothing more to be said

Many drivers don't do this trade any justice, don't you agree stf?

I have to admit I am often embarrassed by some taxi drivers.
The ones that sit in the cab whilst the customer struggles in and out with thier luggage. The ones that block the road whilst the flag down gets in even tho a clear spot is 10 foot away, and my favourite pet hate: The one parked up, facing oncoming traffic with their hardlights on! Just a bit of common sense and maybe making people read the etiqiette page.
There Rant over.
on behalf of "John Belford, Caiystane Gardens, Edinburgh"

I always get out out my cab to help customers with their shopping / luggage, not because i'm being helpful, but protecting my vehicles bodywork from dents / scratches.

Zee wrote:I always get out out my cab to help customers with their shopping / luggage, not because i'm being helpful, but protecting my vehicles bodywork from dents / scratches.

That 's a good point Zee, tell them they are protecting their own cab rather than giving a polite service. Two birds with one stone scenario