Doug Ford confident mayor will get a driver

Pressure on Mayor Rob Ford to get a driver for official duties continues, particularly from his brother, Coun. Doug Ford.

“He needs a driver. It’s very simple … he’s not disagreeing,” Ford told CityNews on Thursday.

“Has to understand he’s not a regular guy, he’s the mayor of the city.”

The mayor insists on driving to work, Ford said, partly motivated by a desire to save taxpayer money.  Mayor Ford often refers to the fact that Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion doesn’t have a driver, according to his brother.

“I think that excuse is getting lame now,” Ford said, adding his mayor brother wouldn’t even accept his offer to drive him to the Taste of the Danforth last weekend.

Toronto police chief Bill Blair agreed.

“Many other city mayors have security details, have people that assist in moving them around safely, and I think the mayor would benefit from that,” he said.

A man took and posted on Twitter a photo of Rob Ford reading papers while driving his Cadillac Escalade — a gift from Doug — on the Gardiner Expressway on Tuesday morning.

When a reporter asked the mayor about it later that day at a news conference for an upcoming business mission to Chicago, he said: “I’m busy. I’m trying to catch up on my work and keep my eyes on the road. But I’m a busy man.

“I don’t know what that has to do with the trade mission, but anyways. Ridiculous questions sometimes, seriously.”

Doug Ford admitted the mayor was caught off-guard by the question on Tuesday and said his brother understands the dangers of distracted driving.

The mayor has found himself at the centre of other driving controversies: he’s been twice accused of driving while using his cellphone — he allegedly gave a woman the finger during one of those incidents — and he’s been accused of driving past the open doors of a streetcar.

Toronto police have also called on him to accept a drive to and from work. Blair suggested a double-duty driver, one who could take Ford to work and also provide security. Doug Ford supports that idea.

Former mayor David Miller had a driver.

“I believe the mayor should have a car no matter if it was Rob or the next 10 mayors,” Doug Ford said. “It’s just part of the job. You’re busy, busy, busy.”