I Didn't Sign Up For This...

[@puppet-head]

Dont worry six points is the minimum required to drive for uber

[@DBProds96]

lol!

[@abdulnoor4241]

Lol

[@boysnips]

😅😅

[@snoopdoggydave1]

😂

[@Joetibbles]

😂

[@ryanmitcham5522]

Couple of points you mentioned in your 7:10 Cycle Lanes: Yes you can go into a cycle lane with a broken line, for example to move around a vehicle waiting to turn right, You can't do that with a solid cycle lane. And yes if there is a solid cycle lane with plates with times of operation, then outside those times they are effectively considered to have a broken line. 7:30 Advanced Stop Lines: You made a slight mistake here, but they are commonly misunderstood. You only commit an offence if you cross the first stop line and enter the box while the light is on red. If you have already crossed the first line when the light turns red you are required to stop at the second line and no offence has been committed. Another example is if the light turns amber on your approach and you are unable to safely stop before the first stop line, but can stop before the second line, again you are required to do. To an observer arriving 30 seconds later it could look like you've gone into the cycle box when you shouldn't, but you haven't. Which is why offences relating to ASL's must be witnessed you crossing the first stop line while the light was red. You simply being in the cycle box while on red proves nothing, a passing police officer can't give you a ticket simply because they see you in the cycle box, you have to be seen crossing the line on red.

[@harrparr8988]

You'd think taxi drivers would learn the highway code before they got their job. Jeez.

[@countbasiethebicyclemessen4321]

Fave 20mph is still the Eaton Square bit of the King's Road. No buildings on either side, not even any gates for pedestrians to enter the gardens. Cromwell Road runs it close though.

[@philcorbett5992]

What about entering a cycle lane to pick up or drop off a passenger ?

[@kiradotee]

10:12 but this sign doesn't apply to you Tom? It's not a sign forbidding access to the road. And it's not a sign forbidding loading. You're stopping / loading a passenger, not parking and leaving the vehicle.

[@brickwallshd9237]

Great video mate the frustration is being felt by every driver and hats off for using your platform to highlight

[@Krixyz]

Bet that within 2 weeks You'll be slapped with warning from TFL because of that video 😀

[@lagergolf]

Was thinking the same thing 😂

[@markevans3488]

10:13 surely that sign means permit holders only can PARK there. How do they get deliveries from couriers etc ?

[@tonyperkins6925]

I am so glad you as a Taxi driver are making this video. I am a van courier located outside of London and myself and others I work with just do not want to go there because it seems that it is just a matter of time before a fine comes through. You need to get more taxi drivers involved, maybe they will listen when the mayor changes. 30 years? 40 to pay for all the fines that they will retrospectively give people.

[@andrewhill400]

Aldwych is a perfect example of how TFL are making roads more dangerous for pedestrians. I used to breeze through it both directions in my bus and then it turned into a nightmare for traffic and people trying to cross the road.

[@xcf5587]

Maybe I’m being too suspicious here, but do they care? Have a few accidents and they can blame cars more and close more roads.

[@Christopher-m81]

Hi Tom, As ever thank you for the great content. There is nothing more I appreciate than a KZbinr like yourself putting time and effort into the weekly content you post.

[@emeraldbonsai]

The payment device thing is a pain but it makes sense it’s to prevent drivers from using ones that steal cards. Maybe they should have a second separate payment device on the other side of the car to help in case one isn’t working

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Very true. Also TfL approved ones have a printed receipt which is very good to keep it uniform

[@abigfatken4151]

Every journey recently that I've taken has had card payment taken via a handheld device such as 03:30! Seems easier and quicker to use than clicking the buttons to setup contactless on the fixed devices. Can I refuse in order to use the fixed device? Should it be reported?

[@CaboloNero]

@@abigfatken4151No don’t be a grass

[@greigs9384]

@@abigfatken4151Drivers who rent their taxis often have little say in what card systems fitted, some take 4% or more of the fare, hence lots have their own Izettle or Sumup devices which take a much more reasonable 1 or 2%. It’s yet another crap TfL policy which was mandated with little thought.

[@hughjanus7354]

@@CaboloNero true, not being a grass is a nice idea but what if you're dealing with a thieving kunt? And how would you know in advance that this terminal is kosher and the other isn't? That's why they have standards.

[@saltypopcorn2708]

Enjoy your holiday Tom. You're a credit to the trade.

[@samuelmelton8353]

Car drivers, including taxis, always expect special treatment and go over reds more often than you think. They push ambers to the absolute limit. They will happily complain about cyclists, but cyclists typically have better reasons for going through lights.

[@DBProds96]

Where’s the vids gone?

[@LukeTR2000]

I drive a bus and the company I work for has a limit of 6 points. I agree with policies like this to some extent. Mainly that the public knows you're not breaking the law repeatedly and it allows for 1 mistake to learn from. The bigger problem I have is the private hire vehicles around where I drive a bus tend to block roads where there are no overtaking allowed and the police just sit there like it's normal. I had to pick up from a lay-by bus stop that had 2 hackney carriage licensed vehicles in and one private hire so I had to stop parallel in a less than optimal position blocking them from moving off so that the customers could board my bus safely. Thankfully the police did walk past and ask them all to move but it infuriates me that TfL are so on top of taxi and private hire vehicles in London but outside of London there's a blind eye turned to all traffic offences all over the country. I just hope that a certain Mayor will get his act together and get the police enforcing like they should be once the powers are handed over to him later this year

[@yeor2000]

21:06 because when cars drive dangerously, it can very easily cause death to other road users, when a pedestrian or cyclist does it then it’s much less likely (yes I know there are some cyclist caused road deaths, but statistically very few). Most of the points you have made in this video are London’s way to discourage driving, it is the least sustainable form of travel which really has no place in a major city like London (apart from necessary trips that physically can’t be done by foot/bike/public transport)

[@MrGorobu]

So the cyclist riding into and damaging a vehicle should have to pay damages because...?

[@usernameheda]

20mph on a bike is the same speed as 20mph in a car

[@BandidoDescalzo]

@@usernameheda even a small car is significantly bigger and heavier then a person on a bicycle

[@usernameheda]

@@BandidoDescalzo speeding causes accidents, especially the lawless nature of cyclists. They create so many dangerous situations with their recklessness.

[@jaypeper]

I've repeatedly cycled on that specific cycle lane ;) Just because we're smaller and gone faster doesn't mean we're not there

[@psansom]

Cycling Mikey really picks the softest of targets in Hyde Park.

[@TidyTransport]

As ever Tom, You are spot on. I used to have to drive to Paddington, in a 26 ton rear-steer dustcart. Even with 360 vision cameras, 2 rear cameras (all recording onto DVR} and with turning warnings (audio and visual warning) cyclists would still come up my nearside when turning left. Unfortunately I left the company because I refused to drive through London. My response was 'what else do you expect me to do, not break and kill someone, or break and be the bigger person and allow them to complete their idiotic maneuver. There;s a sense I get these days that no-one wants to take accountability for their own safety anymore, it's always someone else's problem. Technology can help to a point, but it still relies on awareness and reactive responses. I hate London driving with a passion now!

[@sw01ller]

13:40 my biggest hate is incorrect use of hazard lights. I’m a professional driver with 25 years experience and people from cars, Lorrie’s and busses are all guilty. It’s so annoying when you see someone you think is indicating to pull out only to get closer having slowed down for them to realise they have hazards on and the left one was blocked by other parked vehicles. If you’re being towed, YOURE NOT A HAZARD. If you’re parked up, YOURE NOT A HAZARD. Sort ya lives out!!

[@Kane1993x]

HGV drivers mostly use the hazards when parking up in bad spots to make deliveries to try indicate that we are working around the vehicle. Also lets cars that cant see infront know that their not in a queue but parked up.

[@sw01ller]

@@jamiejosh96 if you are causing a hazard then yeah!! Use them. That’s not what I said though was it. It’s usually cars, vans and quite a few wagons that are just parked up doing fuck all.

[@sw01ller]

what? fuck you on about? if you were a professional driver you'd know you shouldn't use hazards unless you're a hazard. poor driving and parking skills does not make you a hazard in this respect. you thinking that using your hazards to excuse your terrible driving does not mean you're right! also, fuck you!

[@sw01ller]

horse shit! what it does is dazzle driver, does not indicate to anyone about the presence of people working, makes you a nuisance and is the wrong way to use hazards! simple as that. ya wrong.@@Kane1993x

[@andrewpycroft]

I think your point about 20mph zones are pretty invalid. The average speed of traffic in inner London is 11mph and outer London it is 19mph and by implementing a forced 20mph speed limit will save lives.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

And for night time drivers driving along the Euston road?

[@willwearden]

Let’s, for the sake of charity, say you’re forced to do 20mph from King’s Cross to Westfield (W12). That would be 14.7 minutes, plus traffic lights. If it were 30mph, it would be 9.8 minutes. Not an amazing loss of time due to the 20 limit. And the actual Euston Road section is a tiny part of that, so you’re maybe losing at most 2 minutes from the 20mph limit? I agree it’s irritating, just like the frustration of a slow driver in front of you (Millbank snails!). I drive as well as cycle, and I can see your points. But the actual costs aren’t that great, and it would be hard to get public acceptance for these measures if taxi drivers had exemptions.

[@whichwasher2007]

A science study found that to save all lives. Everyone needs to travel at less than 25mph. So yes. 20mph will save all lives. But the real cost is the economy. Both to the individual and the government. As well as increased air pollution. From anything that isn't 100% electric. For every 1 mile traveled at 20mph from 30mph. Takes an additional 1 minute. Which is a 50% extra time. So mathematically. Driving at 20mph takes years off people's lives every day.

[@andrewpycroft]

@@whichwasher2007 Money over life? what a sad way to look at things. The average speed is already lower than 20mph so time has already been lost so your point is invalid. You can still travel by other means at very high speeds safely, eg. Trains. Travelling in cities via other means will save you time. Driving in London is slower than cycling or public transport, minus buses because they are slow AF but yeah if you feel like you would sacrifice peoples safety for those extra saved few minutes that's fair enough

[@andrewpycroft]

@@whichwasher2007 also many people assume that at lower speeds extra fuel is used and more pollution created. In fact the reverse is true.

[@paulhoughton5266]

I am a driver and a cyclist and there are a lot of cyclists giving all cyclists a bad name. In the 1970s we had cycling proficiency lessons and test and all that stayed with me, u give hand signals to indicate turning and always follow the traffic lights. They should bring those lessons back.

[@iamaduckquack]

They had the lessons in 2001 and I saw kids doing the lessons last autumn.

[@TheAviationChannel]

7:59 I used to drive that 148 route. Our duty cards were really tight. We’ll do just about anything unprofessional like straddling those lanes just to try and catch up to those duty cards since the route would usually come across a lot of unpredictable traffic causing us to fall behind on schedule but because we were in a bus, it felt like the police weren’t gonna bother us as much, and it wasn’t like the garage was going to receive a fine if caught by a camera. Really common amongst drivers to straddle lanes to cut through or gently ‘bully yourself’ through into traffic. Feels like a different story with taxi drivers though unfortunately, as it almost seems like they get treated like any other car driver on the road.

[@andrejf4379]

The difference between cyclists, pedestrians and cars is 1600 or even more kilos which translates to about 20 times more dangerous. So cyclists get about 20 times more leeway on traffic rules. With your lorry example you showed yourself that car drivers get a lot of leeway too, even though he, other than all the cyclists you showed, really endangered your live.

[@mlx39996]

and cyclists can force drivers to take evasive action with their 1600 kg vehicle because of their rule breaking... people have died because of this...

[@King-Kazma]

@@mlx39996Thiat is the other reason drivers are getting a lower speed limit. If people are being injured and killed due to drivers suddenly swerving to evade hazards, they need to be slowed down to give them time to react to any unexpected hazards.

[@mlx39996]

@@King-Kazma i don't disagree with 20 mph being the standard for most city roads in london (although I don't agree with strict enforcement of them, i'll discuss that below). i disagree with cyclists not being held to the same standards as drivers. cyclists should stop at traffic lights, not ride the wrong direction in one-ways, stop at stop signs, stop at zebra crossings when there are pedestrians etc. in my opinion, enforcement shouldnt necessarily be "stricter", but should be based on whether someone is intentionally or unintentionally committing that offence. an unintinetional offence should still be punished, but not to the same level as an intentional one. my issue with london roads and being 20mph is that often, the roads don't feel like they should be 20. they are wide and straight. ideally, a driver shouldnt need to constantly look down at their speedometer. instead, it should be obvious if the speed that they are travelling at is safe or not. as a very new driver (recently passed test) who drives like a grandma, i still find 20 mph on many roads in london too slow and therefore can accidentally stray. conversely, the smaller city that i live at, the 20 mph roads are narrow or highly pedestrianised which makes me *feel* like i need to travel at 20. i think that lowering speed limits to 20 is okay if the roads are redesigned to feel slower. prosecuting drivers who unintentionally speed is far less useful than prosecuting those who intentionally speed

[@pappy9473]

​@@mlx39996A person on a bicycle , in the outrageously vast number of cases, is NOT a danger to other road users. Big vehicles weighing tons that hurtle around London are categorically lethal if colliding with other road users. Vision Zero puts the onus for maintaining safe roads on the desks of those responsible for the transport system as a whole. Hence, 20 mph ...and appropriate road design.

[@icy_swoosh]

@@pappy9473 if I had a pound for every time a cyclist almost hit me on my walk to work in central London cyclists jumping red lights and not caring about zebra crossings, I would be a millionaire. If a cyclists hits a less able person, it can also be fatal. So yes, cyclists pose a lot of danger to other road users as well but have 0 accountability for their actions. Which is a really big problem.

[@andyg54889]

Tom Thankyou for doing this video !You are spot on with this, I’ve been a London Taxi since 1994 and always loved this job but lately as you say “I didn’t sign up for this” The additional and unnecessary stress that’s been put on us by TFL and other agencies has made this once fantastic job not such a fantastic job anymore which is sad to say about being a world famous London taxi driver. I truly believed I would drive a Taxi until I was unable to drive any longer 😢 now I’m constantly in fear of either being suspended or revoked because of all these restrictions that are now put on us. Keep up the good work mate and be careful out there. Be lucky

[@haighton]

That white arrow (blue background) means that bikes can jump a red light. The red light is only for cars (motorized vehicles)

[@boycie718]

Eloquently put Tom.. Brilliant video.. Keep up the good work

[@HT-jy7dv]

Your skin has got a lot better- good to see. I have bad skin as well so understand your pain…

[@jarrodhofmann3219]

11:45 there is another point I drive coaches through 20mph London and the amount of times I had overheating problems due to the low speed was ridiculous

[@walterfillingham]

The call centre for dealing with parking tickets, infringements, parking permits for Westminster Council is in a small town 15 miles outside Inverness called Dingwall.. I know, I worked there for 2 months, was the most nerve wrecking job I ever had! We even helped people find parking spaces whilst they were on their mobile.. was funny knowing they had no knowledge of where we were… ironically once a customer in Westminster area speaking to me figured out we were not in London, when I said we in a small town called Dingwall, he couldn’t believe it as it’s where his parents lived ! Even worse as Dingwall has no traffic officers and cars just park illegally wherever they like

[@DavidM2002]

It comes down to simple statistics. Since a taxi driver is likely to be on the road for X times as many hours / miles as the average driver, then that taxi driver is likely to get X times as many tickets. The logic and arithmetic couldn't be any simpler. That is a basic gross unfairness. I think the lashback by taxi drivers could take any number of creative ways without being too disruptive to their passengers. Thanks Tom and I hope this gets sorted out.

[@MadBiker-vj5qj]

I remember one time, maybe more, when they all just decided to Trafalgar Square, all at the same time. It was chaos LOL.

[@countbasiethebicyclemessen4321]

"Address! I don't do postcodes! I'm a licensed taxi, not a bloody Uber!" The standard response when anyone pokes a phone at a cabbie.

[@josephpiskac2781]

Thanks Tom! I am USA though in London with my British Canadian wife I faced her objecting to my tipping the driver. She viewed her role as a British woman to SH-T on any human being under her foot. Horrible to think how many people like her look and pride themselves on damaging you.

[@stuartofblyth]

I certainly don't want to be in a taxi driven by an older driver who has impaired vision (2:44).

[@Nabhoover]

Especially not by a driver who doesn't think he should pull over to read the phone (which Tom doesn't seem to mention isn't an offence...)

[@petercotton89]

Same with us HGV drivers, alot of companies will start disciplinary procedures if you get 6 points on the job. And I don't disagree with it, as professional drivers we should be held accountable to a higher standard.

[@joaquimioakim229]

Thirty two years ago when I got my cab license I decided to work nights because I thought that London traffic was horrendous. Today I look at the state of Londons traffic, restrictions, cycles snitches and the general cash grab by TFL and I despair. It makes the traffic of decades ago look like village traffic. Hats off to you day drivers, you deserve a gold medal!

[@shaun__3]

It's not about going against any law, it's about being better than the law and treating it as a minimum standard. A taxi driver with 9 points probably is not a safe driver for the public to the standard TfL wants. The phone example is strange too, holding a phone is against the law, there's no excuse that isn't already written in law (like calling for Police). TfL want oversight (and rightly so) of the taxi drivers. I'm not sure if it's meant to come across like you don't like these checks and measures, but all are necessary to ensure that London taxi drivers keep the public safe.

[@zackaplowitz]

11:12 1. Blue light drivers are highly trained drivers and have lights and sirens to make everyone aware of their presence, so yes they can safely go much faster than the average driver. 2. The average speed of a cyclist is nowhere near 20mph and you know that. E-bikes stop providing assistance at 15.5mph and most non-electric cyclists won’t get above 10mph. 3. 20mph speed limits in London have reduced collisions involving pedestrians by 63%. Collisions involving serious injury or death by 25%. But they’re about more than just safety - lower speeds in urban areas reduces acceleration and braking, saving massive amounts of fuel and reducing noise. They also helps to create nicer urban areas for people, not cars, to exist in. Cities are for people, not cars.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Point 2. Self modded electric bikes regularly come wizzing past me on the Marylebone road. So have to be 25mph at least!

[@zackaplowitz]

⁠@@TomtheTaxiDriverYes it happens all the time and is bad. Still doesn’t make your statement true. I’m a bike courier based near Shoreditch and am always looking out for you when I’m in the city! I agree completely about cyclists and red lights, it’s terrible. TFL studies somehow came to the conclusion that about 25% of cyclists go through red lights but we both know there’s no way that’s true!

[@RichardPonsford-kv2uy]

I live in Cardiff, and 95% of food delivery cyclist dress in dark clothing, and have no lights. Always annoying at junctions.

[@ChrisDuffy_82]

The dashed line you showed is a side road. so no you can't block a side road. Basic highway code level stuff.

[@nubsey7291]

I drove a cab for forty years. Gengis Khan changed the rules on cabs, so my cab was not allowed a plate anymore. So I retired. I am so pleased I did. London is now a nightmare. I has so many restrictions. I though it was tough when I gave up, but now it is a fact the the inmates are running the asylum.

[@zackaplowitz]

7:45 no, that’s not how it works and you should know that! The offence is if you cross the first solid line while the traffic light is red. The highway code (have a read) clearly states that if the light turns red after you’ve crossed the first line, you must stop at the second line. But really you should be trying to keep the cycle box clear until you can clear the whole junction, as with a pedestrian crossing.

[@coastertimeyt]

Well obvi u should have a read entitled karen

[@zackaplowitz]

@@coastertimeyt ?

[@joevictor53]

​@@coastertimeytthey're a Karen because they corrected Tom's mistake? Muppet.

[@GarfieldBlane]

Now, it is really tough to be an HGV delivery driver in Central London. It is just so difficult to park the lorry to do a delivery.

[@EssOneFive]

20:16 car jumps the red light, which IMO is a lot worse than a cyclist doing it in the little cycle lane, separate from the main traffic lane.

[@gerryaustin8687]

Do you think they are trying to get rid of drivers?! That is what it sounds like

[@Irsu85]

I don't know how this works in the UK but here in Belgium picking up or dropping off passengers is not considered parking and is only restricted by the blue sign with a red circle and cross, and since that one sign only talked about parking (from what I have seen) you could have picked up that passenger there (if I apply Belgian and Dutch traffic rules)

[@dunebasher1971]

16:43 It's likely that none of the high-end shops on New Bond Street have CCTV angled in a way that would pick up the plate of any vehicle passing their shopfront. At best you'd see the side of the bin lorry, which obviously wouldn't help identify it as precisely as is necessary. There's also the further complication that police can only *request* CCTV from third parties, they cannot insist that it is provided, and contacting multiple shops and trying to get CCTV from them (often with no result) takes up more police staff time than you might realise. So the police have to apply a "proportionality" test, in other words, did the offence result in an outcome that justifies the outlay of so much police staff time? In this case, since nobody was actually hurt and no damage was caused, it's likely that it was deemed not proportionate to go to the non-trivial lengths of trying to exhaust every possible avenue for obtaining that vehicle's plate. TL, DR - despite what people think, CCTV is not a magic bullet and doesn't cover every incident everywhere.

[@trapdoor123]

Some of these points are essentially you complaining that you're not allowed to break the law, but others are very fair and would be worthy of a collab video with @ashley_neal!

[@cityuser]

It's not about him being "allowed to break the law", it's about him not losing his job and career if he does! A driver who runs a red light at full speed (like the lorry) absolutely should, but simply accruing easily obtained, minor, and inconsequential violations - many of which could be simple mistakes - shouldn't leave an otherwise good cab driver without a badge.

[@clarehaven6068]

@@cityuserExactly, and many of which are almost impossible to avoid because of the incomprehensibly incompetent way in which the highways are being manipulated making them disfunctional at best.

[@joevictor53]

Agreed. I'm not going to blindly say I agree with everything he said because some of them are him complaining about not being able to break the law. But others are totally valid points

[@epsilonaurelius4787]

Come to North devon, taxis around here drive like they'd get a fine for doing less than double the posted speed limit.

[@juniorallen9]

Same with HGV pal, so over regulated

[@markporter7774]

Couldn’t drive a black cab in London , anymore!

[@daylen577]

20:26 holy crap that clip.. There's this guy on KZbin who does deliveries in New York and he always shows off how he can cycle with no hands while balancing a drink on top, and this clip shows very clearly what happens when that goes wrong. Cycling with anything in your hands should be illegal everywhere.

[@joevictor53]

BikingDC does the same. He does deliveries in Washington DC and will hold the drink in one hand while cycling and sometimes even balances the drink on his hand and plays around with it. He's obviously showing off but it's so stupid and reckless. It just takes a simple mistake from him or someone else for someone to get injured. It could be him slipping or he could hit a pedestrian. Plus that's someone's food that they paid for that you're messing with. One time he does get hit by someone pulling out from being parked on the side of the road and he still does this BS

[@TheDemonarta]

you can cross into a dashed cycle lane if necessary, to turn left for example

[@chrisfinch2807]

Great video Tom Spoke to you a few times, Been a cabbie for nearly 25yrs over the last 6 years became very anxious when I'm working really suffer from job anxiety. Glad I haven't got another 25 years of driving a cab.. I rule for us No rule's for cyclists,electric skateboards. Can't wait for khan to be replaced..

[@mike7002]

I'm not sure there is anything wrong with Cycling Mikey - he happens to be a cyclist, but he could just as easily be either a pedestrian, a scooter rider, a policeman, or just another driver in a passenger seat. If you don't want to get nicked being on your phone, don't be on your phone.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Could be scooter sally. Or tricycle Trevor. The point I’m making is that anyone can film and submit, he’s just the one everyone knows

[@mike7002]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver So, you don't want members of the public reporting crimes to the police..? ok...

[@nayemreza08]

@@mike7002yeah didn’t get that bit either

[@icy_swoosh]

@@mike7002He literally said ‘he fully supports the cause’…

[@BeansOnToast_YT]

My problem with cyclingPricky is he pretends he's doing it for road safety awareness and prevention yet he will hide behind a bush to jump out on motorists. If the true purpose was for road safety he would make his presence clearly visible. It is of course he puts clout above all else, still I'm sure he doesn't monetize his channel does he.

[@CT-zw3ch]

Here in Australia Professional Drivers which includes Taxi, Uber, Private Hire, Bus, Truck drivers etc get an extra point in recognition of being on the road more so 13 total demerits can be accrued before losing licence. It’s not perfect but certainly better than the poultry 6 you talk about in the video.

[@felixdb04]

Who’s here from Faith’s video with Danny Aarons?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy it too!! 🙏🏻

[@Stinger2020]

Is there a website to book black cabs in London?

[@davidcunnington8316]

Good summary of the many challenges we face, Tom. Amusing distraction at 13.40, with a rat on the wall of Hyde Park, behind your right shoulder 😂🐀

[@gaznoo]

I like your comment on being slowed down,your right it doesn't work,live in Wales trust me I know

[@robertgtaylor]

May have already been mentioned but in fairness to the bus driver he will position the bus to avoid making contact with overhanging trees and branches which could damage to the roof of vehicle and windows possibly resulting injury to passengers on the upper deck. From the video it's not clear how far he/she is from them.

[@ollie3x10_8]

I completely understand where you're coming from, and love your channel, but disagree with some of what you're saying, mainly throwaway remarks you made: - Highway code around ASLs is actually incredibly lenient to motorists, if you're in traffic, you can stop in an ASL - While the various restrictions around different solid white lines are confusing, especially the time ones you point out, being able to drive in a straight line without swerving into a bike lane is pretty basic - Every single mph of additional speed makes a huge difference to the survivability of pedestrians involved in collisions. And saves the motorist next to 0 time. Don't speed, simple - Pedestrians can walk out in front of traffic turning into a side road, it is in the highway code, good drivers know about this and are prepared to stop - If a cyclist hits someone, injuries are likely very minor, if a 1 tonne metal box hits someone, less so - Buses have to pass withe 1.5m, if you move off while a cyclist is filtering they should stop, then you can move off no problem, this is all pretty basic - Replying to NIPs is a requirement of having a driving license, which is a privilege not a right. Being able to ride a bicycle on the road and walk is a right - The MET police will only send a NIP if they have decent amount of evidence, so it was likely they just lost your case due to being overworked - As a taxi driver you don't commit careless or inconsiderate driving by traveling at 15 in a 20 and pulling over when hailed (being inconsiderate and the specific offense are not the same thing) - It is a bit odd that you are worried about further restrictions, yet earlier in the video all but call for better surveillance and identification of all road users I'm a cyclist and a driver in London, and see plenty of rubbish cyclists and drivers on a daily basis.

[@richardtalbot8769]

you know you can see a copy of your TFL file - issue them with a subject access request and they are obliged by law to supply you a copy of your personal information .

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

But the action of doing so probably goes on the file 😂

[@soufianeamajane6845]

thank you tom for this video that explains everything about what’s really going on for us. i just can’t understand our license says that we do operate all london didn’t say all london except restricted. i was very frustrated by getting three tickets using Tottenham court road on 16/12 saturday I though that was sunday i explain that to LTDA they say to me you have to pay them all even was genuine mistake that cost me 145£. the only advice i got /don’t vote for khan/. which definitely i won’t. thank you for all tom i am always inspired by you ❤.

[@MoreMrSavage]

The struggle is real, Tom. I feel you mate.

[@MadBiker-vj5qj]

19:30 They should have said "without a name we WON'T do anything", not "CAN'T do anything".

[@tobeytransport2802]

How is issuing 1 million fines going to reduce traffic deaths? Make the roads safer and fine dangerous drivers... don’t just issue a number that could be 1 million fines for going 21mph, while ignoring drink driving for example. I often get the impression that Sadiq Khan has some impressive goals, and they’re often admirable, but the way he goes about them is not very well thought out.

[@ChrisDuffy_82]

Points reflect on your competency of a driver. I don't want to be driven by a driver who has any points. 6 is a good middle ground imo. And yes that should apply MORE SO to bus drivers given how big and lethal they are, and it should absolutely apply to private hire too.

[@paragsatyal6891]

Did anyone also notice 2 (possibly 3) cars running red in that same clip at the intersection?

[@iheardyoulikeme]

Class video as always, Tom. You broke everything down so diligently. Super frustrating seeing our city turned into a lawless joke of a place. However, I don’t think your mate Sadiq gives two honks.

[@tobeytransport2802]

I also can’t get 6 points on my license as a driver in my first 2 years of driving. I’d say it’s not that hard but then I live in a part of Kent that isn’t riddled with 20MPH zones and speed cameras, here you are more trusted to drive without breaking the rules than you are in London, but that isn’t to say the law is completely unenforceable here, you really do well to drive in London and avoid all these traps! (I totally agree with fining speeders but 21 in a 20 or even ‘better’ 71 in a 70 is not speeding)... if I ever go into London I take the train to get there and then use tubes, busses, my own two feet and of course black cabs to get around... absolutely love the place but don’t envy those who drive there, or those who live there, I get a kick of energy when I go but I also feel absolutely whacked with tiredness after a day, three days maximum.

[@HenryGK]

The double solid white line is one you should know for passing your driving test - you can't cross it under any circumstances.

[@clarehaven6068]

He said he understood that. The point is they've decided to put one in in Aldwych (including a NRT into Drury Lane) making it impossible to practically operate in any normal terms as a taxi, ie. picking up or setting down passengers on the other side of the road (say The Waldorf Hotel from Liverpool St Station), or any sensible route into Covent Garden from Fleet St. Even worse, northbound it is literally impossible to access Waterloo Bridge from the Strand due to NRT and therefore the need to u-turn over the double lines. Yet, double decker buses are legally allowed the RT Strand onto Waterloo Bridge. None of it makes any sense, it's illogical and vindictive, and there are literally thousands of examples of this insanity all over London and increasing daily. It's an absolute nightmare.

[@christhesnaildriver]

If you've passed a driving test (in the UK), you should know you are wrong. You are allowed to cross the lines to pass a slow moving vehicle (moving at below 10mph) provided you do so in a safe manner. Highway Code rule 129.

[@andrewoverland2884]

Don’t speed, don’t hold a mobile, the whole of Wales is 20mph in built up areas. Read the signs. You know like every other driver has to.

[@tomsixsix]

7:55 You're wrong about this (but many are!) The offence of running a red light occurs only when you pass the stop line, though this has been interpreted by judges to be the whole of your vehicle. If you're already past the stop line, keep going even if the light for your turn box goes red, it's not an offence. Blocking the junction is even worse.

[@apexjailor9349]

There are lots of poor drivers who get away with it, and lots of poor cyclists who get away with it. Point is a cyclist is a lot less dangerous than a car.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Until a red light is jumped at a less than optimum time, causing a car to change direction or emergency break.

[@apexjailor9349]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver I agree, but the reason that it isn’t as high a priority (for police and government) as drivers/car related safety is because it’s so much less dangerous, and where it does cause issues it is more commonly the stupid cyclist who dies or is injured. I always shout at cyclists who jump lights anyway, as it’s a particularly stupid and selfish thing to do.

[@thomasdutton4600]

6 points is crazy Tom. And it’s so easily done 😩

[@Oakey22]

Where has Tom gone?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I'm back, new videos in April 😊

[@greigs9384]

The Hartington rd restrictions in Chiswick should now include taxis, Hounslows cabinet member for transport approved this last year. Signage seems to take ages to reflect the changes.

[@countbasiethebicyclemessen4321]

Can you still use the Bat Cave for Aldwych spins?

[@WhiteDieselShed]

So a complaint could be made because your doing 20mph in a 20 limit and the car behind wants to go faster but no room to overtake even dangerously. So they stick in a complaint about your substandard driving.

[@caelebyoung2658]

Solid double white lines are indicative of "no overtaking", unless the object that you're passing is travelling at less than 10mph or you want to make a turn... I don't understand how TFL fined people for turning at the Aldwych...

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

not correct. go read rule 129 again. your quote "no overtaking" is nowhere to be seen.

[@harryc505]

Wasn’t TfL it was police officers as the driver received an NIP

[@stevecampbell7589]

I got 6 points for that charge after being cut up by a car driver who then proceeded to do 15mph on a national speed limit. I still employed as a HGV driver with 9 points on my license.

[@walkerdnb6286]

This does have nearly enough views, it's one of the best takedowns of UK driving law I've seen. It's a joke

[@itmkoeln]

I was looking into driving through the Eurotunnel from Hamburg via the Netherlands, Belgium and France this year. in a BEV. Which if it had a UK ev license plate going to London was not an issue with the ULEZ. It is more so one with a German Electric license plate (German electric cars are eligible for the E plate. Meaning any German license plate for a bev is Electric car. Which could be identified by it ending with an E at the end of the Number. The fact that you have to register them online up to 2 weeks in advance. Otherwise your BEV would be fined in the ULEZ... It is not that foreign registered ULEZ compliant cars are unidentifiable.

[@ashnur]

not just that cities shouldn't have roads where cars go fast, but all crossings should be raised everywhere to the level of the sidewalk, not the other way around. it's enough already with putting cars before people, even if cars also carry people, I think once you are in a car your perspective is warped too much. Go fast in a racing ring, not on public roads.

[@ImranOO7]

You can’t just start to work as a bus driver because your taxi licence has been revoked. It’s only if you’ve already a PCV licence and you’re already employed as a bus driver. It’s also not easy to get 6 points unless you intentionally go about getting points, for instance speeding, using any handheld device and not paying attention to the road, even stopping at traffic lights, you’re still technically in charge of your vehicle and considered driving by law. All your other stuff about what you can or can’t do, it’s a regulation by tfl which you’ve accepted by applying and working as either private or public hire driver. I don’t understand why you’re complaining, you don’t like it just leave and do something else, simple

[@ilyapetoushkoff8362]

12:00 The critique to this point is perfectly valid but on this one you’d be surprised to know that actually low speeds in city streets (i.e. all environments where people walk, live, do business, etc.) is the only way of getting to zero road deaths. Educating people is not sufficient because people still make mistakes, and when they do (and they do all the time), it shouldn’t cost them lives (or even lead to life-changing injuries). Because forces of impact in a collision grow exponentially in relation to the speed (i.e. every further mile per hour makes everything substantially worse), going over a speed limit even by 1-2 mph should indeed be punishable and enforced. To ensure safety, setting speed limits (and, moreover, designing the roadway geometries) should be guided by the context of the surroundings. Where there’s a lot of people and places, it is a street, not a road, and traffic speeds must be low enough to ensure nobody gets killed or severely injured. 20mph, or 30kmph in most places around EU, is what’s deemed best practice for city streets which are full of life and action. Most people tend to (emotionally) disagree with this because none of it is obvious, and even more so, the entirety of their personal experience - an individual’s experience - it is impossible to get the understanding of how the whole system works.

[@mlx39996]

so. i can be driving along a road, stray up to 22. go back down. accidentally stray up to 22 again, and literally get my license taken away from me... are you dumb?

[@powerslide12]

Absolutely, but the point that Tom has made is that the 20mph rules have been applied to routes that are most definitely NOT under your definition of city streets. Six lane dual carriageway arterial routes with dedicated infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to keep them safe are not routes that need to be restricted to 20mph. Indeed TFL appear to have shot themselves in the foot as the amount of traffic now diverting down residential side streets instead of keeping to these arterial routes has massively increased as there is no incentive to stay on the main routes when all the speed limits are set the same!

[@0liver0verson9]

How grateful we are for your wise words Ilya Petoushkoff. We really didn't understand that road speeds relate to road deaths. We are so ignorant. Would you advise we don't leave our homes to avoid the risk of accidents? It's seems a logical extension of your argument no?

[@cabbieoo7]

Top video mate 👍

[@Abc-li1ij]

Are you on the green?

[@cabbieoo7]

@@Abc-li1ij yes

[@frostfirefn9572]

Hi Tom if you don’t mind me asking where did you buy that London map from

[@highwaycodeencounters]

18:14 car jumped red light

[@peterstanton8109]

Well done Tom for pointing all this out great stuff ,from a London cabbie .

[@alexcuthbertson9808]

Hi Tom happy new year & I hope your loving your holiday mate just quick question did you send me a reply to my comment not wearing a jacket or is it a spam/fake can’t wait till your back in taxi doing vids missing them badly 👍

[@markukblackmore]

Pedestrian priority at side roads is clearly unworkable in the busier parts of London. Traffic would be at a standstill. Tom is right to highlight the other discrepancies and lack of balance in enforcement. Magistrates can give points to cyclists with driving licenses for example. But it’s incredibly rare for them to do so.

[@timwilkinson8023]

Well said Tom. Those who drive in London to make their living exist on a carpet of egg shells. You have managed to make your points without being too moany. The real bug bear is the hypocrisy in enforcement. It is simply not good enough for Santander to deny accountability for their service. The police can enforce properly but with so many other calls for service they choose not to. This creates the very divisiveness on our roads that you have articulated. Best of luck and hope to see you in March.

[@cam1210]

Even without being a taxi-driver, I think we all know what authorities like TfL are like. They’ll persecute the easiest target whilst allowing completely illegal practices like the ice cream vans because it’s too much like hard work.

[@204driver]

Great video Tom

[@adrianmazaev192]

you highlight a cycllist going through a red light but not the car driver. why? Also it is a left turn, so like the USA depending on the place we should allow cyclist to left turn and even cars. It is the case in other countries with a special traffic signal.

[@Robslondon]

Great video Tom.

[@karychannon1675]

A good trade has been desimated by restrictions..time is money.. Sad.

[@Tuppoo94]

They might as well ban driving in the UK completely. I think that's what they're trying to do, just indirectly. There's basically no way to avoid eventually falling into these traps, so they're essentially a tax on drivers. But it gets worse, because if a cabbie puts one toe out of line, the government will nail their rear end such that they may never work as a cabbie again. How is that in the interest of the travelling public?

[@thomasm1964]

That is the basic plan. Stay in your box.

[@clarehaven6068]

Commendable that you even felt able to make this video highlighting the ideologically possessed, vindictive and nonsensical way that TFL approach the regulation of London Taxis, Tom. Without doubt being treated constantly as a problem to be rid of by TFL rather than part of the solution as the world’s most highly qualified taxi drivers providing outstanding customer service is depressing, worrying and saddening for those of us who worked so hard to qualify and take pride in what we do.