Taxi Driver Online

Driver fuming at Bedford Borough Council for ban over photograph

A PRIVATE hire driver has had his license suspended by the council for taking a photo while driving, despite the fact he was not called before the licensing committee for that offence.

Balal Shah, the former vice chairman of the Bedford Private Hire Association, will be banned for four weeks after he appeared in front of the committee last Friday when member of the public accused him of swearing and driving aggressively.

During the incident, around two months ago, the member of the public took a picture of Mr Shah while the two were waiting at traffic lights in Chiltern Avenue, Bedford, and Mr Shah took one back.

The claims of swearing and aggressive driving were rejected by the council but Mr Shah was punished for taking the picture.

He said: “The member of the public alleged that I swore at him and was driving aggressively. Then he followed me around and took a picture of me while we were waiting at traffic lights. He was behind me at the traffic lights and I took a photo too because I felt I was being followed around.

“I was called in front of the licensing committee but I wasn’t there for the photo I was there for the other offences.

“I explained to them the police want us to be their eyes and ears on the road. So if I take a picture for the police I asked if they would prosecute me then.

“My trade is fuming, they think it’s a joke and it’s ridiculous. I wasn’t called in for that reason, the complaint has nothing to do with me taking a picture.”

Mr Shah is now awaiting a letter from the council regarding the start of his ban.

A Bedford Borough Council spokesman said: “The Council does not comment on specific allegations against licensees.

“Parliament has made councils the licensing authorities for taxi and private hire drivers and places a high standard on those licensees to provide safe transport for children and adults.

“The council regards the use of mobile telephones by licensed drivers as highly dangerous. As such if there is clear evidence of use of a hand held mobile telephone while driving by a licensed driver the council will actively consider suspending the driver licence.

“Clearly, it would be ludicrous if the council were to ignore evidence relating to an offence when this evidence exists.”

source: http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News ... 160000.htm

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

The words Kangaroo and Court spring to mind.

Four weeks of no earnings for taking a photograph of the local nutter.

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IDFIMH

Is there a difference between using a mobile phone to make and receive calls (illegal,unless hands free), using a camera that's just a camera nothing else (not illegal) and using the camera function of a mobile phone whilst driving (legal/illegal ??) ? Notwithstanding the careless driving or not incontrol of the vehicle aspect.

In this case he wasn't using a mobile phone he was using a camera, albeit built into a phone !

Oh, and he should have denied everything, wasn't taking a photo, their word against mine etc.

Some drivers just don't know when to keep their mouth's shut. Was it Abraham Lincoln that said it is better to keep quiet and let people think you are a fool than speak and confirm it.

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Grandad,

It was indeed Abraham Lincoln but he said "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt"

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Near enough.

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Grandad,