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After yesterday's announcement that the TLC will be cracking down on cellphone using cabbies, people on both sides of the plastic partition are not happy. Many drivers insist they use their cellphones responsibly and should not be punished. "My wife is home with cancer," one driver tells the New York Times, "If my cellphone rings, I’m going to pick it up." The new rules would forbid drivers from using any device capable of non-emergency phone calls, even if they were to pull over. One driver tells the Daily News "I understand that we can't talk on the phone while we're driving, but to say we can't pull over to take an emergency call...It's like a form of slavery."
Surprisingly, many passengers aren't too happy about this new ban either. One commenter told us, "eh let them talk. I'd rather they be jabbering at someone on their phone, rather than trying to talk to ME," while another didn't care how much his driver talked, as long as he could drive well. Then again, some regaled the wonderful, eccentric cabbie conversations of yesteryear, saying, "The ones who talk to me (if I'm in the mood to talk) and have some wacky story to tell get a much bigger tip from me." If neither option seems appealing, you can always get a ride from this guy (that is, until the TLC cracks down on him too!)
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I can understand wanting to be safe, but can't we just do what CA does and enforce the headset law?
The evidence is pretty clear at this time that there is no lesser risk by use of headsets over handheld.
I applaud this ruling - I want these guys giving their full attention do driving so I'm safter instead of figuring out what they're having for dinner.
Hey - is that the sound of the waaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance I hear? Not sure, I'm on a cellphone so I can't hear a thing.
I once had a driver offer me a hit off his joint. He couldn't do that if he were on the phone. Now, could he? I didn't take the hit. It's illegal.
HA, Snobby New Yorker Hates Talking Cab Drivers. Someone should call the New York Post.
Wanting to be left alone by perfect strangers doesn't make you snotty. And what the hell is wrong with a Bluetooth? I agree with the post above, how about a headset law?
What's wrong with a Bluetooth headset is that study after study has shown that a driver talking on one is no safer than a driver on a regular cell phone. Yes, you get both hands free, but you're still distracted by the conversation. That includes studies from NHTSA, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the AAA's Foundation for Highway Safety.
But that said, I do agree with some cabbies that they should be allowed to use any kind of cell phone if they pull over first. There's absolutely no reason to ban that.
It's even worse when they're talking in Punjabi.
I prefer someone driving me to be concentrating on the road but I would be afraid of an aggressive response if I asked the driver to get off the phone. Would I dare to threaten to report him? Advice on how to handle?
"Among the proposed rules is one stating that cabbies who take calls when their engines are not turned off - even if they have pulled over - will be subject to punishment."
So they can take calls if they pull over and turn the engine off. Still stupid though. If they are pulled over they should be able to talk freely.
I would hope that in emergency situations a driver could always be reached on the radio through the dispatcher.
Cabbies in NY drive crazy enough when they're NOT on their phones - I hate when they're on their phones when I am a passenger.
think slippery slope.
people are on board with this idea, rah rah. driver needs to pay attention to the road while im a passenger.
but when the passenger becomes the driver, god forbid anybody says no bluetooth handsfree talking while im the driver, its about me and my big suv!
thats what the plan is...
more revenue from tickets.
more enforcement of behavior by bloombum's nanny state.
and more revenue from tickets.
more bribes for cops and TLC agents.
2 tickets = suspension
3 tickets = revocation of license
what a great idea and great incentive for bribes.
ill agree with the plan when similiar consequences fall to any regular joe schmoe in any automobile.
if its safety, then safety should be across the board.
what next fining taxi drivers who dont supply baby seats and a diaper changing table????
"The ones who talk to me (if I'm in the mood to talk) and have some wacky story to tell get a much bigger tip from me."
I tip for good service, not the story.
They already drive crazy... Its great that they are cracking down on this.
interesting everyone looks at this from the perspective of a cab passenger rather than a pedestrian...taking away a distraction like that might keep them from killing more kids
WTF are they talking about non stop on the cellphone
anyway?
Most of these owner/drivers have a very low voice as they speak to Al Queda.(laughter).
Then they congregate at the Mosque on west 29th street to
pray aka " The taxi drivers mosque" right across the street
from a new bar in the Ace hotel,what a mix,what a mix.
"god forbid anybody says no bluetooth handsfree talking while im the driver, its about me and my big suv!"
The thing is that while -- as mentioned above -- every study says that even handsfree phones are distracting and dangerous, it would take legislation at the state level to ban that. And that isn't going to happen anytime soon.
But it only takes a TLC pronouncement to put a restriction on cab drivers; they don't have to worry about a public outcry.
That's the only reason cabbies are being given more restrictions than the rest of us. It's sensible to ban any phone use when driving for everyone, but politically this step is the only one that can be taken.
it is very distracting!!
I can't even tell you how often I've been in a cab when the driver ignores my directions because he's on the phone with his friends.
And about the cabbie quote above..."slaver"? Really?
Just do your job like everyone else should. I seem to manage doing my job without being on the phone for 2-hour stretches with my friends.
People are getting too lazy and complacent. You're at work. Do your job.