My observations about private hire cabs

[magnatom]

I hate generalising. I go out my way to avoid doing it. However, there is one group of drivers that I seem to have problems with the most. Private hire drivers.

Today, another example that was completely pointless and unnecessary.

So why does this happen? Is it contempt for cyclists, contempt for other road users, or just general contempt for life?

What can be done, if anything to stop it? What training/regulations do private hire drivers have to conduct/adhere to? Does it need to change?

As with all groups there are good and bad, but looking at my videos, the regularity that private hire cabs are involved suggests that there is a pattern.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Happens all the time, 'cager' in a hurry, 'cyclist' in the way, cue the 'I'll squeeze through' move.

 

[Bigtwin]

So why does this happen? Is it contempt for cyclists, contempt for other road users, or just general contempt for life?

What can be done, if anything to stop it? What training/regulations do private hire drivers have to conduct/adhere to? Does it need to change?

It's part of the general "me first" attitude that pervades today, that translated into contempt for everyone else. And of course NOTHING must get in the way of maximum profiteering at every second.

They don't have to have anything formally. Plenty aren't properly insured or MOTd etc either, according to some "clamp down" the Met did a while back I was reading.

 

[HLaB]

A lot of close overtakes seem to be by private hire car (perhaps they've go too much confidence in their abilities) but on the whole I don't find them worse than anybody else. At least IME they don't overtake and drift in.

 

[leoc]

long hours, two jobs? Probably never even saw you, scares the hell out of me

 

[fossyant]

They are pretty rubbish...let's just say both myself and a friend had run in's with private hires whilst we were in cars.....refusing to provide details, despite being registered, council had details.....etc...etc...police involved....guess what...got nowhere.....

 

[lazyfatgit]

There aren't many out my way, and i'm not in the city so often now, but after one unfortunate incident whilst driving on Byres Rd, I can relate to your feeling.

 

[rog 1974]

I was a private hire driver for 2 -3 years, had to do the local knowledge and pass a driving test but there is no limit to the amount of hours you can work, so with increasing amounts of drivers and not so many fares leeds to increasingly tired and irateable drivers one of the reasons i gave it up. ofcourse some of them are just peanuts who doesnt think the law and commonsense applies to them.