Many cab drivers in New York City suffer from a variety of diseases as a result of sitting in the driver's seat for 10 to 12 hours straight, on a regular basis. The main cause of these ailments is not having time to use the restroom since it would require finding a spot to park their cab. City authorities pay no attention to this basic need of cabbies, who play a vital role in keeping the city running for 24 hours a day by providing transportation to city residents, and, most importantly, to tourists from around the world.
In addition, they serve as tax collectors for the MTA to their detriment. Having to pay an increased tax, passengers are not pleased and as a result, have reduced the amount of tip on average from 20 to 5 percent, which is where cabbies get much of their earnings. While cabbies are working to earn their livelihood, they must keep watch on all sides and on their passengers while they drive. All drivers know how difficult it is to watch their rear while driving, but in Manhattan, the work is more dangerous as they have to drive quickly on busy streets.
There are about 45,000 licensed cab drivers in the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, helping to maintain the city's mobility and therefore its activity. One of the most important services they provide is the transportation of tourists from different airports to their destinations. Cabbies have been lauded many times as being like the bus and subway services of the MTA in their function; however, cabbies, unlike the staff of the MTA, don't have any health insurance or the hope of earning a special bonus at the end of the year.
Cabbies don't even have any hope of using a restroom properly to maintain their health. They have proposed that the city construct public restrooms in different places, the keys to which could be given to cabbies for their use only. The code number on the locks to the toilets would be given to the cabbies when they start driving cabs, so that they can use them in times of need. Were this to be arranged, the passengers would not have to be embarrassed either. Cabbies fear the health consequences that result from driving taxis for years on end.
The Thikana asked two doctors about this issue. While Dr. Mohammad Kamal said he knew of no complex diseases due to lack of proper timely urinating. Dr. Ferdous Khandker expressed a different opinion, saying that because of continuous driving, taxi drivers are suffering from different diseases including kidney infections and back pain.
Dr. Mohammad Kamal said that there had been no research on the cab driving profession, saying that the authorities would obviously carry out the necessary research on the issue if the fear, as it has been instilled among the people, were a legitimate one. However, he has a lot of clients who are cab drivers, but has yet to see an instance of one of them suffering from a disease because they cannot urinate in time. True enough, when there are passengers in the taxi, the drivers cannot use the restroom; however, after unloading the passenger, they can find a safe place to use a toilet. Dr. Kamal said that it is not the case that cab drivers must continuously remain sitting in the driver's seat. Cab drivers have to get out of the taxi in order to help the passengers load and unload their luggage; this helps keep them mobile while they work.
On the other hand, Dr. Ferdous Khandker said that countless cabbies are suffering from back pain, due to the continuous jerking of the car. In addition, those who drive cabs at night, year after year, cannot sleep properly; no one can sleep deeply during the day time. As a result, many cabbies are suffering a kind of depression. Dr. Khandker also said that cabbies are under a great deal of mental pressure while they drive. They have to keep watch on all sides of their car. Under these circumstances, many cab drivers cannot go to the restroom in time, resulting in gastric and kidney problems.
The easy way to get rid of these problems, according to Dr. Khandker, is to give up the profession. But is it always possible? We advise cabbies to take a break after at least two hours and go to the restroom. Those who are suffering from different diseases are advised to get regular exercise and be given medicine. No one should work as a cab driver for more than 10 years, says Khandker; it has a long term impact on the body and mind.
Cabbie Helal said that he takes a coffee break every two hours during every shift, cumulatively spending at least two hours on break. Although he has been driving a taxi for more than 10 years, he is still healthy; however, working 10 to 11 hours straight is enough to cause problems for anyone.
