Taxi driver fell asleep at wheel

[Maisy313]

This isn't really a AIBU but a WWYD? Taxi driver picked me up at 5am to drive me to the airport, noticed he was behaving oddly, kept on touching his hair seemed very uncomfortable / restless, barely had one hand on the steering wheel, then sort of saw his head drop and was very slumped. I startled him massively and ended up having to keep him awake for the rest of the journey, he didn't go on the motorway but took me the long way around as he said the motorway would make him fall asleep! He was very grateful for me for talking to him and said he planned to pull over and sleep for two minutes. Having spoken to him it turns out he's under huge pressure with family / money but he seemed oblivious to the fact that I might mind having a driver who was trying not to sleep on the job. He was very open about the fact he had fallen asleep and was grateful to me for talking to him. Would you tell the company? I'm worried for the safety of all road users going forward but don't want to get him sacked and he has my address.

Get what you pay for. Thatwas.
I don't think OP paid to almost get killed.
Very strange comment

Absolutely report it to your local council. You need to,ask for licensing at your local borough or district council, or unitary authority if you are one. Taxi drivers are increasingly heavily regulated with very good reason. Falling asleep at the wheel is so far from being acceptable. His sob story could have just been a way of him persuading you not to report him.

It does sound like the taxi driver is under a lot of pressure but he could have killed someone! He seems to lack awareness of the problem. I think you have to report him because he is dangerous.

I booked through a local London firm, he wasn't a black cab so I guess he was a car for hire. I'm pretty sure I didn't opt for a sleeping driver discount though.

That's what actually shocked me more than him falling asleep, his complete lack of awareness that it might also be a problem for me! He also started telling me about all the plane crashes he could think of after I told him I was a nervous flyer, so I think he just lacked awareness in general. It was pretty shocking though as he just seemed to have no idea that it wasn't acceptable. He wasn't a young kid he was probably around 50.

Omg.
That is outrageous.
You are very lucky but maybe the next person will not be.
You must report him and you shouldn't be thinking twice about it.

I once got a mouthful of abuse and a refusal to give me change from a London mini-cab driver, because I asked him if he'd kindly refrain from reading his book as he drove.

It was an air pilot training manual. No joke. I wish I'd been sharp enough to report him.

As pp's have said, yes you should definitely report him. But report to your local authority (ie. Council), not to the firm employing him.
Every taxi driver - at least, every legal driver - is licensed by the local council; they have the power to suspend or revoke that licence if the driver is not safe. They will investigate first.
Taxi drivers have to pass a DBS check (formerly CRB) to ensure they are fit and proper persons to work with the public, before the council will grant them a licence. Councils take that duty very seriously.
His recklessness is not fit or proper! And it may not be an isolated incident.
It may be possible to keep your details as the complainant confidential.
I do not think you should worry about him losing his job; you could have lost your life.

He was a private hire driver ; he will have been licensed by the Council. Complete lack of awareness my arse. I bet he figured if he acted innocent and grateful you'd let him off the hook. Don't!

King - there are restrictions to hours worked in the working time directive and esp with night workers. However a taxi driver may do several jobs etc
The WTD was designed to limit work to 48 hrs

Report, though completely understand why you don't want too!
No idea about the 'you get what you pay for comment'
It costs us a fortune either way from the airport whether it's a black cab or not.
Just because op didn't get a black cab she deserved a driver who fell asleep?

I don't think OP paid to almost get killed.
Very strange comment

Hardly a strange comment.

You totally missed the point. Anyone with a driving licence can offer themselves as a "taxi service"; unlicenced taxis are cheap - because often they are untrained (satnav if you lucky; guess work if you aren't) and more seriously uninsured.

If you choose to go for a cheap option, you get what you pay for - an untrained, possibly uninsured and unprofessional service. You are getting in an environment that you may not be able to get out of (child locks) beyond your control.

If you are getting in a vehicle that you aren't confident is a professional service and is super-cheap, it is a risk that the driver is untrained, uninsured, would fall asleep, may be drunk, may sexually assault their passenger.

I'm pretty sure that no passenger sexually assualted by a mini-cab driver thought that was what they were paying for.

Hardly a strange comment - unless you are very thick.

Read this and consider would you rather pay more or have a driver asleep at the wheel or one who sexually assaults you. It's the same point in principle - confidence in a professional and safe service.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uber-drivers-accused-of-32-rapes-and-sex-attacks-on-london-passengers-a7037926.html

Maisy, please report him. My good friend has lifelong injuries due to being hit by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. I wouldn't wish what he went through on anyone.
Yeahthatwasme, we don't have many black cabs where we live, mostly private hire which are regulated by the local council. It's not always a cost issue but more an availability thing.

I had this last year and made a report. He fell asleep and ran several red traffic lights before pulling over to have a fucking nap about 10 mins from Gatwick.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/transport/transport/public-transport/taxis/complaints-about-taxi-or-minicab-services/

Yeahthatwasme it was a strange comment though. Private Hire Vehicles are regulated by local councils and it's illegal for them to just pick people up off the street like a black cab does as they are a hired vehicle.
They're not just someone roaming round offering lifts. They're licensed with the local councils and receive bookings through local firms.
Bit ironic suggesting that someone else is thick...

Hardly a strange comment - unless you are very thick

Yet another very strange comment

I second what ClassicM said.
Yeahthat clearly has no idea.

He started listing all the plane crashes he knew about after you said you were nervous of flying?!

Oh Maisy what a crap ride to the airport

We used to have to get taxis from North London to Stanstead in the early hours. They were often coked off their tits.

Yeahthatwasme right

I've got to be honest I think there is some naivety re mini cab drivers/ firms on here. I have had some experience via the police of local firms (largish city) and they're basically criminal. Run by large families, they might get licences for 20 Drivers but have 40/50 people
Sharing and driving cars pretending to be those people.
Then when crimes are committed against passengers the police can't work out who was the driver that journey because the licensed, booked driver was away on holiday so X was driving but X decided to have the night off so lent the car to Y and Y has now left the country. Yeah, they might get prosecuted for abusing their licence but not as bad as being prosecuted for rape.

Mini cabs are still a nightmare and I admire the optimism that you can call the council and get his licence evoked but umm...

Goodness. Im not sure if I should have read this thread! So for those of us who have to get taxis sometimes is there any advice on whats firms to book with?