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Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
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Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair in cab


A taxi driver has been suspended for two months after putting the life of a disabled woman at risk when he failed to strap her wheelchair into the back of his cab.

John Scott Kennedy, of Fell View in Wigton, was told he narrowly escaped being stripped of his licence and has been warned it will be revoked if he is in trouble again.

Instead Mr Kennedy was told his hackney carriage licence would be suspended for two months. He must also re-take disability awareness training.

He admitted making a “massive mistake” and apologised when he appeared before Carlisle City Council’s regulatory panel yesterday.

It comes after a complaint from Carlisle woman Leah Stanton, who was picked up along with two carers from Grey Healthcare by Mr Kennedy on December 18 after a shopping trip at the Asda superstore at Kingstown.

Miss Stanton, who lives near the city centre, suffers a rare genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It causes her to suffer many painful dislocations. She also suffers injuries easily and her skin is stretchy.

The panel, at the civic centre, heard how Miss Stanton’s electric wheelchair had got stuck as it made its way up a ramp into Mr Kennedy’s taxi.

She banged her head, causing her to be sick and needing a cold compress once back at home.

Once inside the cab, Mr Kennedy – a taxi driver since 2009 – allowed Miss Stanton’s wheelchair to remain in a dangerous ‘sideways’ position.

He also failed to strap the chair in properly to stop it from moving during the journey.

Miss Stanton told councillors: “If the taxi had been in an accident or we had to break sharply it would have seriously injured me.”

Mr Kennedy said: “I hold my hands up but at the time I did not feel it was necessary. It was a massive mistake, I am very regretful of that. I sincerely apologise to everyone, the panel, the licensing staff and to the lady in question.”

It is not illegal not to strap in a wheelchair but it is contrary to vehicle manufacturers’ and disability awareness guidelines.

Mr Kennedy was said to have “failed in his professional duty” by not carrying his passenger safely.

Taxi drivers receive training from the city council on how to deal with disabled passengers following a high-profile case in Birmingham in which a disabled teenager had died as a result of being transported sideways in a vehicle and not being correctly secured.

Councillor John Bell, chairman of Carlisle City Council’s regulatory panel, told Kennedy: “What you did was entirely against council policy and entirely against the disability and duty of care guidelines.

“Despite all that we are taking into account all you said to the officers and suspending your licence for two months.

“It is very dangerous to transport a wheelchair like that. It put at risk not only your passenger but also yourself and her carers.

“You had no valid reason for not securing the wheelchair and there is no doubt that if you are before this panel again you will have your licence revoked.

“You came very near today. It was a majority of 7-4. Take on board what we have said and act in a more responsible way.”

source: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.1188065
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
Quote:
What you did was entirely against council policy and entirely against the disability and duty of care guidelines



eeeeee our council and their whacky guidelines :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  grandad [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
captain cab wrote:
Quote:
What you did was entirely against council policy and entirely against the disability and duty of care guidelines



eeeeee our council and their whacky guidelines :lol: :lol: :lol:

No wonder you have a shortage of WAVs!
Author:  trotskys twin [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
This guy needed professional representation

First the passenger has a duty of care towards her OWN safety it appears she did not request the Wheelchair be secured and was content for the journey to take place!! thereby actively assisting in herself being put at risk! Had she been injured during the journey any financial reward to her would because of HER behavior been reduced by 50%.

To have the audacity to then complain about in effect her own behaviour should have been taken into consideration by the Councillors

Given the above the punishment is in my opinion EXCESSIVE, naturally the Driver should of course be reprimanded. more in the line of a final written warning valid for a year than this ridiculous punitive financial penalty in my view #-o

Its the same old message get Unionised i doubt he would be off the road for 2 months with competent representation and of course a political relationship with said councillors :wink:

WILL THEY EVER LEARN.............................NAH THEIR CABBIES ........................IE FEKKING THICK!
Author:  gusmac [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
Quote:
The panel, at the civic centre, heard how Miss Stanton’s electric wheelchair had got stuck as it made its way up a ramp into Mr Kennedy’s taxi.


I would have to wonder if the WAV was designed to take a powered wheelchair?
I would also wonder if the chair was being driven under it's own power? [-X
Author:  sasha [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
captain cab wrote:
who was picked up along with two carers
And all three sat there and said and did nothing.
But it's the drivers fault. eusasmiles.zip
Author:  Nidge2 [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
gusmac wrote:
Quote:
The panel, at the civic centre, heard how Miss Stanton’s electric wheelchair had got stuck as it made its way up a ramp into Mr Kennedy’s taxi.


I would have to wonder if the WAV was designed to take a powered wheelchair?
I would also wonder if the chair was being driven under it's own power? [-X



None of that would get mentioned in court, they'll just lambaste the driver.
Author:  grandad [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
sasha wrote:
captain cab wrote:
who was picked up along with two carers
And all three sat there and said and did nothing.
But it's the drivers fault. eusasmiles.zip

It is still the drivers responsibility.
Author:  Nidge2 [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
grandad wrote:
sasha wrote:
captain cab wrote:
who was picked up along with two carers
And all three sat there and said and did nothing.
But it's the drivers fault. eusasmiles.zip

It is still the drivers responsibility.



Maybe so but why didn't they notify the driver prior to setting off?
Author:  trotskys twin [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
Nidge2 wrote:
gusmac wrote:
Quote:
The panel, at the civic centre, heard how Miss Stanton’s electric wheelchair had got stuck as it made its way up a ramp into Mr Kennedy’s taxi.


I would have to wonder if the WAV was designed to take a powered wheelchair?
I would also wonder if the chair was being driven under it's own power? [-X



None of that would get mentioned in court, they'll just lambaste the driver.


you fekking moron not IF he's represented #-o #-o
Author:  trotskys twin [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
grandad wrote:
sasha wrote:
captain cab wrote:
who was picked up along with two carers
And all three sat there and said and did nothing.
But it's the drivers fault. eusasmiles.zip

It is still the drivers responsibility.


Partial responsibility the carers and the passenger have obligations ie a duty of care towards their client and and the passenger to herself !!
Author:  Cabby John 1 [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
Quote:
Partial responsibility the carers and the passenger have obligations ie a duty of care towards their client and and the passenger to herself !!


That is something that I have never quite managed to get my head around!

We are being told right left and center to treat disabled people no differently to an able bodied person.....fair enough in my book. So the person gets into a vehicle and makes a conscious decision not to belt up, as does any able bodied person over the age of 14 years of age - what are we to do! The bottom line being is that the authorities have created a situation whereby we are damned if we do and damned if we do not.
Author:  trotskys twin [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
Cabby John 1 wrote:
Quote:
Partial responsibility the carers and the passenger have obligations ie a duty of care towards their client and and the passenger to herself !!


That is something that I have never quite managed to get my head around!

We are being told right left and center to treat disabled people no differently to an able bodied person.....fair enough in my book. So the person gets into a vehicle and makes a conscious decision not to belt up, as does any able bodied person over the age of 14 years of age - what are we to do! The bottom line being is that the authorities have created a situation whereby we are damned if we do and damned if we do not.


If they dont belt up its easy if their sitting behind you their a risk to you so either they belt up or you throw them out as i frequently did in that situation they could kill you only gormos would drive in that situation #-o

If their sitting elsewhere and their over {14?} its their responsibility. personally couldnt give a fekk if they get hurt through their stupidity :D

then theres the comedians who want to sit in the front seat with their belt on and a child on their lap, just sling emm out :D

its not complicated but of course mental disability can be difficult to asses, but as i continually point out organisation's with immense resources are available for all relevant advice and representation ie Unions.

This Driver has been bundled over in my opinion for sure he was irresponsible but not entirely to blame his punishment was overly severe and punitive in my opinion! he will now suffer immense financial hardship, its a pertinent lesson for all Drivers, be aware, get representation ie Join a Union Dont let this happen to you #-o
Author:  grandad [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
It may depend on who said what at the time.Did the passenger mention anything at the time? Did the driver say anything like " you will be ok, we aren't going far." Did the passengers say "I will be ok, we are not going far." ?
Author:  Cabby John 1 [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxi driver suspended after not securing wheelchair
grandad wrote:
It may depend on who said what at the time.Did the passenger mention anything at the time? Did the driver say anything like " you will be ok, we aren't going far." Did the passengers say "I will be ok, we are not going far." ?


I know what you are saying! Having said that if an accident happened and as things stand - guess whose ar$e is going to get kicked :roll: Everything is verbal, so in the event of a claim, it will no doubt be..........."I don't remember that being said - that will be the order of the day".

Another point as raised by Trotts;

So often the punishment does not fit the crime or in this case the offence. Why should the guys family (might be children involved) suffer hardship? Very wrong in my opinion.
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