A new safe driving guide has been developed for taxi operators, owners and drivers.

The Road Safety Manual for the Taxi Industry seeks to create a standardised safety framework that highlights key hazards and risks to the industry.

In Queensland – where the manual was written – there are 11,000 taxi drivers, more than 2,200 owners of taxi service licenses and 60-plus booking companies.

Common factors associated with a higher risk of crashes for taxi drivers are gender (mostly men), age (25-49), driver distraction, vehicle condition, road conditions, organisational culture, high mileage and time pressure.

“Driver distraction or inattention has been found to be a contributing factor of 78 per cent of all crashes and 65 per cent of near crashes by taxi drivers and other drivers,” said researcher Amanda Evenhuis, from QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q).

“This can be due to navigation systems, phone, email, internet or other technology devices, unrestrained objects, passengers or pedestrians.

“The manual includes tips to avoid these kind of distractions, such as avoiding private phone conversations, paperwork, operating technical equipment like dispatch instruments, or eating and drinking while driving.

“Fatigue is another danger area that can impact on drivers’ mental and physical capacities. Our tips in this instance include not driving more than 14 hours within a 24 hour period, stop and take regular breaks and walks, don’t rely on energy drinks, tablets or coffee to stay awake and let your operator know how you are feeling.

“Research also shows that there is definitely a reduced injury rate when vehicles are fitted with the latest safety technology, including autonomous emergency braking, reversing cameras, lane departure warnings and the like. Owners and operators need to ensure drivers are aware of the safety features of their vehicles.”

Ms Evenhuis said Taxi Council of Queensland and the industry generally had received the manual positively.