Taxi Driver Online

Probes begin after rogue drivers shamed



AN SPT van parked illegally at a bus stop, top, and taxi and van drivers using mobile phones, below





by Gordon Thomson

THREE investigations were under way today after rogue drivers were shamed by the Evening Times.

Our hard-hitting Get Glasgow Moving campaign has this week highlighted the problem of motorists blocking busy box junctions, using hand-held mobile phones while driving and parking illegally at bus stops.

SPT bosses have launched an internal probe after we photographed one of their vans parked at a bus stop in Kinning Park.

It happened just days after the agency decided to donate £10,000 to help fund a council crackdown on illegal parking by motorists in bus stops across the city.

advertisementA spokeswoman confirmed an investigation was ongoing.

She said: "Staff will be made fully aware they cannot park in bus stops."

Our photographers also caught a van driver with a delivery firm using his mobile phone in George Square while on the move. We even published the vehicle's registration number.

A company official said: "It has come to our attention that a Business Post driver in Glasgow was photographed using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

"Business Post is investigating this incident and will be taking appropriate action.

"We would like to point out the company has strict policies regarding the misuse of mobile phones, which are in line with legal requirements.

"This is most certainly a one-off, albeit regrettable, incident."

Another mobile phone offender was a taxi driver.

Adrian Higgins, chairman of the Glasgow Taxi Owners Association, pledged any complaints of drivers blocking junctions or illegally using phones would be investigated.

He said the TOA operated a strict code of conduct.

Mr Higgins added: "If I can identify the driver he will be warned about this."

Council chiefs issue taxi licences but say the police are responsible for prosecuting traffic offences.

But a spokeswoman said: "If the police make or submit a complaint to our licensing committee it will be looked into by us."

In just one hour, Evening Times photographers snapped everyone from young women to businessmen, taxi drivers and van drivers blatantly flouting the law while negotiating busy traffic at George Square and Charing Cross.

Tests have shown that drivers who use mobile phones can be more dangerous than drunk drivers even when using a hands-free phone.

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

So Mr Higgins is going to investigate????? Is that part of the Chairmans duties in Glasgow? Couldn't this guy have told this reporter that he is Chairman of the TOA, not a police officer?

Regards

JD

I suspect the stance taken is more akin to PR.

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin