Taxi driver made light work of lamp post A SELKIRK taxi driver who dropped off college students after an 18-mile journey and then crashed his vehicle, demolishing a lamp post, was over the legal alcohol limit.
Robert Cook was criticised at the local sheriff court for putting his passengers’ lives at risk by drinking and driving.
He pleaded guilty to driving in Tweed Road, Galashiels, on September 29 with a breath/alcohol count of 53 microgrammes – the legal limit is 35.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond was told the 56-year-old had transported students from Hawick to Borders College in Galashiels shortly before the collision. The taxi ended up on a banking with all four wheels off the road and the lamp post underneath the vehicle.
Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said a witness telephoned the police and efforts were made to trace the driver of the vehicle through the taxi company.
Officers told Cook to return to his taxi because there was leaking fluid and the felled lamp post had exposed electricity cables. Police who quizzed him smelled alcohol and he admitted he been drinking vodka and Irn Bru the night before.
Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said the incident marked the end of his client’s driving days, having driven for almost 40 years without a problem.
Sheriff Drummond said the case gave rise to additional concerns as Cook was operating as a taxi driver at the time of the offence. He told Cook: “Drink-driving is a matter of public safety and when it involves a public service vehicle, people’s safety is particularly at risk.”
Cook was banned for 18 months and fined £480.
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