Taxi drivers fear seat belt law will lead to attacks

TAXI drivers warned they are more vulnerable to attacks as changes on seat belt regulations came into force yesterday.

Both major taxi representative groups reported a high compliance among their members with the seatbelt regulation. Up to now, taxi drivers were exempt.

But the National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) and the National Taxi Drivers Federation are both pressing for meetings with Transport Minister Mr Brennan to seek a compromise. "It would have been more beneficial if the minister, instead of rushing through the changes, had issued a recommendation to taxi drivers to wear seat belts," said the federation's John Usher.

"Our members reluctantly complied with the regulations but they are not happy," he said.

"Many are demanding some form of protest."

NTDU vice-president Vincent Kearns said taxi drivers are still strongly opposed to the minister's order on the grounds their safety was compromised.

"Most of our members would have no problems wearing seat belts but there are times when they have to act quickly if they feel threatened.

"There is a risk a seatbelt could be used by a passenger to restrain a driver," he said.

Dublin taxi driver Alex Mosley said yesterday it took him several weeks to recover from an attack. . "I picked up two men at Camden Street and when we reached Drumcondra, they wrapped the seat belt around my neck and pinned me to the seat before running off," he said.

"I was fearful of going back to work for two or three weeks afterwards in case I would be stabbed with the seatbelt wrapped around me.

"There's no escape, wearing a seatbelt, if you feel uncomfortable with a passenger."

Union leader Mr Kearns said most attacks on taxi drivers are not reported.

"If the culprit has not been caught, there's no point in reporting the matter it increases family concerns for the driver's safety."

"We hope to have an opportunity to talk to the minister but whether we get any satisfaction remains to be seen," Mr Kearns said.

A Department of Transport spokesman said the minister believed it was no longer possible to continue an exemption given the overwhelming evidence of the effectiveness of seatbelts in preventing death and serious injury in road accidents.