Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver banned over accident

A TAXI driver who dragged an elderly woman several feet along the floor as she tried to get into his cab has been banned from driving for 28 days. Archie Semple 68, of Tintern Rise, Eye, Peterborough, was fined £200 and given four penalty points after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The incident happened in front of shocked onlookers in Westgate, Peterborough, at 11.30am on April 14 as an 89-year-old woman was getting into the taxi with the help of her son. Semple was on the opposite side of the road and ran across when he saw the taxi in front of his cab move off. He jumped inside, unaware the woman was there, and drove forward down the rank.

Prosecuting, Jackie Kemp said: “He drove off and the elderly lady was dragged 20 feet. Her leg was trapped under the back wheel of the taxi. She suffered a shoulder fracture, bruising and severe pain. “She has suffered trauma from the accident and physical pain from the fall.”

Defending, Fran Tyler said Semple believed it was “impossible” to move 20 feet up the rank. She said: “It was barely a car’s length. The victim said she was dragged under the car but there was no injury to her leg consistent with being dragged that distance and in that manner.”

She added that Semple had been a taxi driver for 25 years and had never been involved in a serious incident before. She said: “He was distressed by this.”

He had nine points on his licence at the time of the incident and District Judge Philip Browning said he would have to impose at least three points for this offence, a total which usually 
leads to a six-month disqualification. But after hearing Semple talk about how he would face exceptional hardship if he was banned, he reduced it to 28 days.

District Judge Browning said: “I’m sentencing you on the basis that you ran across to the car, jumped in and didn’t see what was going on – and as a result, injuries were caused. “I’m dealing with someone for careless driving. It may be there will be civil action through insurance companies.”

Semple was also ordered by the court to pay £30 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

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IDFIMH

Oh surprise surprise a Peterborough cabbie out of his car on the rank

it always gets me when cars are at the front of the rank the drivers are usully in the back seat of the car about 4 back no wonder punters start approching other taxis at the station waiting for bookings

perhaps this will be a wake up call to the drivers nothing wrong with chatting but the first 3 cars at a rank should have the drivers in them ready for action

I would be very surprised if this driver keeps his badge though