Cab Drivers Rally For Right to Use Cell Phones on Duty
Cars and cell phones are two pieces of modern technology go incredibly well together, which is why, earlier this week, New York City cabdrivers rallied, demanding that the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) allow them to use (hands-free) cell phones while on duty -- something made illegal last year.
"In all professions workers have some form of communication that they carry around," said Bhairavi Desai of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance. "It could be their cellphone, it could be a walkie-talkie, a CB radio, -- or it could be a telephone at their desk. Why are taxi drivers expected to work 12 hours a day, without any live communication, like a cell phone?"
The NYC TLC's response has been less than agreeable, however: "Unfortunately, cell phone abuse has resulted in many instances of drivers leaving their passengers feeling improperly served and downright unsafe, which studies agree is a true concern."
Of course, this hasn't yet turned into a full-blown strike, which might sway their opinion a bit more.
From Textually
Related Links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sunbum @ Mar 21st 2008 1:41PM
i am soooooooo opposed to cab drivers using cell phones while driving, as i have had two
serious issues in this regard and a 3rd time, after cabbie did not hear me stay "stop now", i
got out of the cab at a red lite. sadly, it is the foreign drivers who talk constantly on their phones -- they do not pull over when there is no passenger, to call home & check on matters - they talk constantly and do not hear passengers or pay attention to traffic (traffic
does not matter to them, with or without a phone
as they cross 4 lanes to get a passenger. i have refused to get in cabs that cross lanes to
pick me up or who do not understand what i am saying to them, or ask me for directions. some of these drivers are deadly weapons!!!!!!!!!
Ned Sheats @ Mar 23rd 2008 10:23AM
No cellphones used by any driver of any moving vehicle. No NEVER EVER!
Janet @ Mar 23rd 2008 3:53PM
After visiting NYC 4 times in the last year and half, letting them use cell phone is a way of writting your own death warrant. They drive like jerks now. if that happens, I will never return to your city.