Call Sign October 2008 - Page 10 - WHY MY VIEW ON SEATBELTS HAS CHANGED

The last issue of Call Sign contained the incredible story of how Dial-a-Cab driver John Davis (V41J) put his life at risk by stopping at a 3-car smash and helping others to pull four children out of one car, before moving onto a second car and pulling out the driver. Any of the cars could have exploded and the children’s father rightly described John as a hero, whose help went far beyond what was expected in a situation like the one he faced head-on. Without John’s timely assistance, at least some – if not all – of the children trapped in their mother’s car would have died. Now John tells Call Sign why his view on seatbelts has changed because of his experience that evening along Epping New Road… "Firstly, can I thank Call Sign for the nice things it wrote about me, however, I would like to say that it was a joint effort between myself and two other men, in addition to two girls who were also involved in the accident, but who fortunately were uninjured. The reason for this article to Dial-a-Cab drivers, our staff and anybody else that reads the magazine, is to bring to their attention one thing; if the woman involved in the accident had not been so considerate to her children by putting them in the middle and back row of her Ford Galaxy car seats and making them put their seatbelts on correctly - including the youngest one in the baby seat - this accident would probably have had a completely different ending. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about it. Their seat belts saved their lives. It was a classic example showing that it may not be anything to do with how safely you are driving, you never know what circumstances apply regarding the ‘other’ driver. This accident has now made me sit up and think about when I get into a car; before I move I now make sure my children, myself and my wife all put our seatbelts on no matter how short the journey is. In my DaC taxi working, it is not really	WHY MY VIEW ON SEATBELTS HAS CHANGED
	practical to wear my seatbelt in town. But if I am lucky enough to get a roader into the suburbs or onto the motorway, then I will now definitely put on my seatbelt. Whilst writing of the accident, I would like to congratulate all three emergency services on their efforts that night - especially one brave fireman who worked so hard for well over an hour in order to get the children’s mother out of the car. Not surprisingly, after succeeding he almost collapsed, so I hope this message to my DaC colleagues and their families makes them all think about when they get into a car – and buckle up. Whilst I have the opportunity, I would also like to thank Editor Alan and Call Sign magazine for their support over the years in the events that I	have been involved in – the most recent being my parachute jump from a plane in aid of Jack Pitcher, who sadly died a few years back. The article helped garner some great help from DaC drivers and staff and especially Tom Whitbread’s Dial-a-Dream charity, which gave Jack and his family some great memories in Florida. Knowing the huge number of members and others that read the mag made me decide to try to put this message across. We’ve all been guilty – including me - of not bothering to wear a seatbelt because we’re only going round the corner. I now know how important it can be. The perfectly imprinted marks of the seatbelts on those children proved to me that the strain the belts took undoubtedly saved their lives. And Alan, I think that Call Sign is one of, if not the best publication, in the cab trade. My wife and I look forward to reading it every month. It works well alongside Dial-a-Cab which is undoubtedly the best radio circuit in London by far. Be lucky..." John Davis (V41J)
	MR TAXIMAN DIES
	The man said to have created what the world knows as the iconic London "black cab" has died. Bill Lucas worked for Carbodies Ltd - now LTI - for 31 years. He became their technical manager and was appointed to the board in 1965. Four years later he became the company’s general manager, overseeing production of the FX4 taxi – the first one to have the distinctive shape. He held that position for 10 years until ill-health forced him into retirement. During his time at the Coventry factory, Bill presented vehicles to such famous names as Prince Charles and Sir Laurence Olivier and even had a taxi made speciallyfor himself with a cocktail counter in the back. When he retired, Mr Lucas said: "There have been two landmarks	A Bill Lucas landmark - the introduction of the FX3 in 1947 in my 31 years with the company - the introduction of the FX3 in 1947 and the improved FX4 in 1969. In my opinion, they are the finest taxis in the world." His son, Michael, said of his father: "He had a great career and helped to create the black cab which we still know today. He was also a very caring man and loved helping anyone. I know I am biased because he was my father, but he was brilliant."