Why Don’t Taxi Drivers Wear Seatbelts?

Mystery Hour Question

Why don’t taxi drivers have to wear seatbelts?

William, Old Street

Answer

** Definitive ** - REVOKED

Name: James O’Brien

Qualification: Taxi drivers’ favourite

Answer: It’s to ensure that passengers can’t strangle them and steal all their money. The rule dates back to the time before the plastic screen was introduced. I think minicab drivers also have the same exemption.



** Definitive **

Name: James, Epping

Qualification:

Answer: We don’t wear a seatbelt as we have to get out the vehicle to help passengers with their luggage on a regular basis.

(James O’Brien: Wrong. A courier has to get out a lot, but they have to wear a seatbelt.)



** Confirmation **

Name: Howard, Woodford

Qualification: I own a fleet of black cabs.

Answer: I’m afraid James from Epping is right. A taxi driver doesn’t have to wear a seatbelt due to passenger safety, not their own safety. It’s one of those very old Hackney Carriage rules.



