Call Sign April 2008 - Page 24 - ALLEN TOGWELL AND A HAND SIGNAL

Those of you that work mornings may have seen a fleet message from me berating a then unknown driver of a vehicle carrying our logo who, having chosen not to stop when hailed by me, then proceeded to give a hand signal that at best was confusing and at worst looked extremely offensive. The signal in question was a repetitive Z sign that from a distance was indicative of what adolescent boys with overactive hormones do when reaching puberty! Had it been a non-radio cab I would have thought nothing more of it, but the fact the vehicle was carrying our logo and that I could so easily have been the MD of one of our most senior clients, the gesture could most certainly have jeopardized the account. Had the driver remained anonymous, the incident would have gone unchallenged. Fortunately and I might add to the credit of the driver in question, contact was made to the office with an explanation and for the benefit of the Society, I am happy that the matter has been resolved. However, the explanation was interesting as it gave an insight into modern day hand signals (official or otherwise) that I will be better acquainted with in future should I	*ALLEN TOGWELL AND A HAND SIGNAL*
	Not all hand signals are quite as understandable as this one! ever encounter a similar incident to the following… A cab was travelling north along City Road towards the Old Street roundabout. I was walking south on the opposite of the road, my destination being London Wall. I waved to the driver and after being acknowledged, signalled to the driver to do a U-turn. The driver then picked up speed and when I called out again, I was greeted with what the driver later explained as being a Z sign, which in my ignorance apparently means one cannot do a U-turn when approaching a crossing. Although exactly how far away from a crossing this traffic rule applies, I	have yet to establish as I was not near a crossing. Neither do I have any idea how many cab drivers would adhere to such a rule had the person hailing the cab been surrounded by a stack of Louis Vuitton suitcases and flapping their arms indicating a trip to the flyers. I’m not suggesting for one moment that drivers should disobey the laws of the road; I’m simply being pragmatic. Plus in my 42 years of owning a Bill and 51 years since I passed my driving test, which was at a time when very few vehicles had electric indicators and hand signals were an integral part of that test, I and everybody I have spoken to including the British School of Motoring, have never heard of a zigzag hand signal. Anyway, the matter has now been resolved, but in doing so and in an effort to prevent a similar incident from being possibly misunderstood by any of our clients in the future, can I suggest that any driver feeling the need to apply this zigzag sign be absolutely sure that the palm of the hand is firmly facing downwards. Thank you… Allen Togwell

HAYLEY GOES FOR A WALK!

DaC Dispatcher Hayley O'Connell - doing the race for life

Hayley O’Connell has spent her complete working life with Dial-a-Cab. Starting straight from school at 16 as a call taker, she is now 21 and has moved up to – and enjoys - being a dispatcher.
   Hayley is currently involved in the Race for Life at Old Deer Park, Richmond in May, where the park has set a joint target of raising Ł272,000 to help Cancer Research UK’s ongoing – and winning - battle against cancer. The event is for women only and similar Race for Life events take place all across the UK.
   "In addition to supporting the cancer charity, I am also running in memory of my Nan who, although she died from breast cancer when I was just 9, I still remember with love and I just want to do whatever small part I can to help defeat this awful illness."
   Hayley will be competing with a group of friends and the promise is that they will be taking part dressed in something spectacular!
   "I have a very artistic friend and I have no doubt that she will dress us all in something totally outrageous," said Hayley! "We hope to run the distance, but even if we have to walk or crawl, I promise we’ll finish the course!"
   Since the race inception in 1994, millions of women have raised over Ł200 million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work from their Race for Life events. This year they hope to raise a total of Ł50million to support the work of their scientists, doctors and nurses in addition to help in finding new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.
   Almost two thirds of women diagnosed with breast cancer are now likely to survive for at least 20 years. When Race for Life first started, fewer than half could expect to survive this long.
   The death rate from bowel cancer has dropped by over a quarter in the last 14 years. That’s thanks to greater awareness, earlier detection and better treatments while incidence rate for cervical cancer has dropped by 30 per cent over the last ten years, largely due to screening. Cancer Research UK contributed to the development and improvement of cervical screening.
   If you would like to help Hayley by sponsoring the amazing work of Cancer Research UK, go to their website at http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ or make a cheque out to Cancer Research UK and leave it at DaC House for the attention of Hayley O’Connell at the Call Centre.

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