MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT: Current TfL taxi drivers' policy can lead to ‘anxiety and stress’ reveals cabbies

The constant threat of licence revocation over minor infractions can impact drivers' mental health, says cabbies group.

Hundreds of London's black cab drivers are uniting to voice their concerns over what they see as overly harsh licensing regulations enforced by Transport for London (TfL).

Organised away from traditionally recognised driver representation via a WhatsApp group named ‘Taxi Drivers Unite’, approximately 700 taxi professionals are taking their grievances to their local MPs, aiming to highlight the issues with policies they believe are unfeasible and unfair.

At the heart of their discontent is a TfL policy that puts drivers at risk of suspension or losing their licence for accumulating just six penalty points. The drivers argue that minor infractions are sometimes unavoidable due to the complexity and congestion of London's streets, making the rule unnecessarily stringent and out of touch with the realities of their work.

In their communications with MPs across London and the South-East, the drivers have outlined the negative impact these regulations have on their well-being and financial stability.

A spokesperson for the Taxi Drivers Unite group shed light on how TfL's driver policy affects mental health, stating that the strict 'six points and you're out' rule significantly contributes to stress and anxiety among drivers. The constant threat of licence revocation for minor infractions can lead to heightened stress levels, negatively impacting drivers' mental health. The lack of a transparent and equitable appeals process further exacerbates the issue, leaving drivers feeling unsupported and unjustly penalised.

A spokesperson for ‘Taxi Drivers Unite’ group said: “The current TfL driver policy is causing significant stress among drivers, primarily due to the strict ‘six points and you're out’ rule. The constant threat of license revocation over minor infractions can lead to increased anxiety and stress, impacting drivers' mental health. The perceived lack of a transparent and fair appeals process exacerbates this issue, leaving drivers feeling unsupported and unfairly treated in the face of punitive measures.

“In no other industry would workers be treated with such lack of care in cases of being unable to work for a period of time. The Police currently have over 600 officers across the country suspended on full pay. I don’t think TfL would ever consider stepping in to financially assist cab drivers in this way.”

The taxi industry are set to meet next week with TfL to discuss the policy in more depth.