Precaution

Recently on a cabbies forum I’ve been debating another driver who advocates that the seat belt exemption for NSW taxi drivers be rescinded. In an almost nightly, weekend event I couldn’t demonstrate the issue better than the following encounter...

Near 2am this morning at Star City Casino a fella aged around thirty years old fell into the front seat, drunk and shitty. A big bloke he first looked me up and down before providing his destination, the North Shore.

As we pulled away he said, “Can I pay in chips?” I immediately hit the brakes. “You don’t have cash?” When he arrogantly shrugged I threw it into reverse and returned to the front of the queue. “Mate, I only take cash," I told him, "try another driver.”

Clearly irritated he proceeded to drag out a wallet and lazily thumbed through it, revealing a large note. He whined, “Oh, I do have cash, see..?”

Heading over the Bridge he continually groaned and threw his arms and head around as if suffering from an abscessed tooth. I guessed that due to a losing streak, his drunk and erratic behaviour had him thrown out of the casino, down to his last fifty bucks and a handful of chips.

At this point I eased off my seat belt, ready for anything. I sure as hell didn’t intend fumbling around for a seat belt buckle if suddenly attacked.

We arrived in a quiet neighbourhood and he ordered we stop next to a construction site. When I requested the fare he made no move for his wallet, but instead intently stared at the meter. With some concern I watched as he slowly and deliberately rubbed his knees with oversized hands, adorned with full tattoos.

Sitting right next to me it felt like he was deciding whether to grab me around the throat, fling open the door and run or, capitulate and pay. At the same time I covered my door latch ready to release it for a quick escape.

Barely breathing I waited him out, refusing to force the payment issue. Finally after some sixty seconds of silent tension he decided to pay. Phew.

Readers will remember a similar situation last December when a vicious drunk was a hair's-breadth from smashing me...exactly why we have the seat belt exemption.

Comments

[Paradise Driver]

I've had one try to use the shoulder strap to choke me out. He wasn't expecting me to have a 5-D cell Mag-Lite. After that I refused to wear my seatbelt when I had a fare.

[Goldstein]

Cabbies had a demonstration here in Adelaide a couple of weeks ago after a driver was dragged out of the cab and kicked unconscious, suffering skull fractures etc..

No seatbelt exemption in Adelaide, and the arsewipe Rann government has just put up the fine to $230 + 3 demerits..

The only exemption for cabs is that the driver isn't liable for passengers not wearing them..

Ordinary drivers get up to $560 + 8 demerits if he/she and two passengers aren't wearing seat belts..

Jeez I love living in a " free " country (hahaha)...

[anon]

Thanks for explaining that. I had no idea that was the real reason. Next time it's mentioned I'll be able to explain why you guys insist on it. Cheers.

[bill]

I've been following your discussion with that arrogant fool on the other website. You're doing a good job.

[Goldstein]

*** Late Bulletin **

Another cabbie protest outside Parliament House here in Adelaide today -another driver biffed last night in Salisbury..

And the Rann government's response ? Nothing...

[nathaniel]

Adrian's description is exactly why there needs to be a seatbelt exemption I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately there is a group of drivers that abuse the exemption and drive without a belt at all times this in my opinion is an abuse of rule.

I like Adrian have felt the need to remove my belt on 4 or 5 occasions in the 12 years I've driven nights thankfully nothing developed out of those incidents.