Fears Raised Over Rear Loading Taxis
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The danger of using rear-loading vehicles as taxis for wheelchair passengers has been aired in the House of Commons. The issue was raised in an Early Day Motion (EDM) by Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford and has received full 'cross party' support.
A typical rear-ramp taxi that MP's do not favour.
(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)
Andrew Rosindell said, "This House believes that converted vehicle hackney carriages (taxis) that load wheelchair passengers from the rear, that are currently licensed in a growing number of local authorities outside London, particularly in the North East, are unsuitable for taxi use; notes that whilst being loaded such rear-access taxis place the wheelchair user passenger in a dangerous position on the road to the rear of the taxi, where he risks being hit by traffic coming up from behind; further notes that many AA, RAC and Green Flag recovery technicians are killed on UK roads by traffic approaching from behind whilst standing behind vehicles; notes the concerns that Radar and the Spinal Injuries Association have about rear loading taxis; further notes that those licensing rear loading taxis do not seem to have undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment; and therefore calls upon licensing authorities throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland only to license side loading wheelchair accessible taxis from now on".
The use of minibuses, MPVs and combi type vans with windows are all criticised by wheelchair user groups, the Spinal Injuries Association and RADAR, the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation. They have written to local authorities across the country expressing concern about these vehicles being used as Hackney Carriages when they say there is ample choice for the use of purpose built taxis which have side loading access and wheelchair ramps.
A typical side-loading taxi favoured by MP's.
(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)
Wheelchair users also say it is an undignified process for them to be wheeled into the gutter to be loaded into rear loading taxis and they want to be treated the same as able passengers and use the side entry doors to and from the pavements. All of London's 20,000 purpose built taxis have side loading access for wheelchair users
Official figures show that 20 per cent of all traffic accidents are rear end impacts so wheelchair passengers in rear loading taxis are in the most vulnerable position in the vehicle.
A typical rear-ramp taxi that MP's do not favour.
(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)
Andrew Rosindell said, "This House believes that converted vehicle hackney carriages (taxis) that load wheelchair passengers from the rear, that are currently licensed in a growing number of local authorities outside London, particularly in the North East, are unsuitable for taxi use; notes that whilst being loaded such rear-access taxis place the wheelchair user passenger in a dangerous position on the road to the rear of the taxi, where he risks being hit by traffic coming up from behind; further notes that many AA, RAC and Green Flag recovery technicians are killed on UK roads by traffic approaching from behind whilst standing behind vehicles; notes the concerns that Radar and the Spinal Injuries Association have about rear loading taxis; further notes that those licensing rear loading taxis do not seem to have undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment; and therefore calls upon licensing authorities throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland only to license side loading wheelchair accessible taxis from now on".
The use of minibuses, MPVs and combi type vans with windows are all criticised by wheelchair user groups, the Spinal Injuries Association and RADAR, the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation. They have written to local authorities across the country expressing concern about these vehicles being used as Hackney Carriages when they say there is ample choice for the use of purpose built taxis which have side loading access and wheelchair ramps.
A typical side-loading taxi favoured by MP's.
(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)
Wheelchair users also say it is an undignified process for them to be wheeled into the gutter to be loaded into rear loading taxis and they want to be treated the same as able passengers and use the side entry doors to and from the pavements. All of London's 20,000 purpose built taxis have side loading access for wheelchair users
Official figures show that 20 per cent of all traffic accidents are rear end impacts so wheelchair passengers in rear loading taxis are in the most vulnerable position in the vehicle.
posted by Jon Fry at 12:39:00 AM
1 Comments: Please Post a Comment
I have been using the fiat freedom rear loading wheel chair accessible taxi for three years now, and not once have I had a passenger complain about the rar loading aspect of the vehicle, in fact I have had quite the contrary.
The general opinion has been the ease of loading the speed at which loading and securing is accomplished, and the general comfort of ride.
When hearing clients opinions, which I always welcome, I am usually told they prefer to face forwards,when travelling, unlike the London taxi. There are no problems with vacating the vehicle when in narrow roads or lanes, and when fitted with a fold down ramp, no lost time in packing away the detatchable ramp that comes with the London taxi, and no loading from the left side only, which in some towns makes the TX range unsuitable when you have ranks on the right hand side. Plus no rediculous price tag either.
Surely it's more a lesson in common sense when you come to load a wheelchair in certain areas, after all a person in a wheelchair isn't quite the same as a broken down vehicle on a highway, or is that how some people view it?
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