In what was probably the biggest series of interviews ever undertaken by a member of the licensed taxi trade, Dial-a-Cab Chairman Brian Rice was a guest on no less than fifteen radio stations covering the United Kingdom in an amazing 8-hour stretch! Fortunately thanks to modern technology, there was no need to go to each individual studio and he had to stay in one central London studio for the whole eight hours with just a short break for lunch.
   He was there on July 26 because of a survey carried out by esure - the telephone and Internet insurer - using Dial-a-Cab driver's completed questionnaires. Forms were left in the Driver's Reception asking about your various experiences on the road.
   An incredible number of drivers took the opportunity to tell the world what they were doing wrong! There was also space to give our recommendations as to how we could help cut down the estimated Ł1bn repair bill per annum that motorists force their insurers to pay up because of driving errors.
   DaC drivers pointed out three most frequent dangerous deeds that they claimed caused most road accidents:

Pulling out or turning without indicating (53%)
Using a mobile phone while driving (27%)
Blocking yellow grids at junctions (20%)

According to esure, based on claim records, the first two alone cost some Ł237million and if eradicated, could reduce driver's premiums by around 13%.
Another question asked drivers which they considered to be the most dangerous road and junction in London? Marylebone Road and Marble Arch respectively easily won both categories.
As for the strangest incident Dial-a-Cab drivers had ever seen on the road, you can imagine the weird selection that

Brian Rice in
8 Hour Radio
Station Dash!

The Chairman on his 14 radio stations in 8 hours trek

accompanied the poll! Three selected for discussion on the programmes were:

A DaC driver with 33 years experience saw a car pulling out of a line of traffic to speed and overtake along the inside lane. So busy was he looking at the cars he was overtaking, that he drove straight into a parked skip!
A DaC driver with 10 years experience witnessed a driver in an open-top car with a young child sitting on his shoulders leaving Hampstead's Royal Free Hospital!
A DaC driver with 20 years experience met a car coming towards him the wrong way through the Knightsbridge underpass!

Mike Pickard, esure's Head of Underwriting told Call Sign:
"The vast majority of accidents on London's roads result from drivers either losing concentration or acting plain daft in one of the busiest cities in the world. Insurance costs in the capital are pushed up by theft and minor accidents where London's record is poor. This is why those people who do manage to keep their cool and drive with care and attention can save disproportionately on their premiums."

   Brian Rice added:
   "Our drivers pretty much live on London's roads and they see some extraordinary behaviour out there. The Capital is slowing down from congestion, which in theory should help reduce accidents, but we still have to face the erratic behaviour of stressed motorists. Our message to London's drivers is simple; most accidents could be avoided if you keep your mind on the road and not on how late or stressed you are."
   And a final 'top three' tips to London's road users from the drivers of DaC on driving in London...

Don't (40%)
Know where you are going and study a map in advance (21%)
Don't be intimidated (12%)

Among the radio stations that you may have heard Brian on were:
Capital 95.8 ... IRN ... Radio Verulem (Herts) ... SGR Colchester ... Primetime ... Thames Radio (Surrey) ... 3TR FM (Wiltshire) ... Sunrise Radio ... The Scene (Essex) ... 107.5 Soul (Essex) ... Delta FM (Surrey) ... LBC ... XFM 104.9 ... Heartbeat FM (Herts) ... Liberty Radio.

The poll was carried out by esure on DaC drivers between July 1 and 20...

Brian Rice in 8 Hour Radio Station Dash!

Brian Rice in
8 Hour Radio
Station Dash!