DRIVERS & SEATBELTS UPDATE

In the last issue of In Black & White Magazine we reported that Taxi Council of Queensland had received correspondence from Queensland Transport advising "that under Section 267 (1) of the Regulation, a driver is also exempt from having to wear a seatbelt if the driver is moving up a taxi rank or stopping at frequent intervals."

Qld Transport has now retracted this advice. Taxi Council has received a follow up letter from Bernadette McNevin, Acting Assistant Director (Taxi & Limousine Management) advising that her previous advice was incorrect.

Please note that it is currently NOT lawful for taxi drivers to be moving up on a rank without wearing a seatbelt (i.e. if there is no passenger in the taxi).