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Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offences
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34938
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Author:  StuartW [ Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offences

Both very harsh 'punishments', in my opinion at least [-(

Described as 'major' offences in the article, but I've used 'minor' in the headline [-X


Sandwell taxi driver loses licence after mounting pavement outside school

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/loc ... -incident/

A taxi driver who mounted the pavement outside a school causing a mother to fear she and her child would be run over has been stripped of his licence.

The unnamed man was one of two drivers who had their permits revoked by councillors at a closed meeting of Sandwell’s Council’s licensing sub committee.

They had appeared before a private meeting, which was held to decide if they should be allowed to keep their licences after breaking traffic laws.

The decisions were revealed in minutes of the committee’s meeting held on September 2 where one, only identified as Mr M I, admitted he had mounted the pavement and partially parked on double yellow lines outside a primary school as parents and children were arriving.

In a witness statement given to councillors, the mother said the vehicle almost drove into her and her child leaving her shocked and fearful.

She added she had felt intimidated by Mr M I’s driving and his attitude when she challenged him.

Explaining his actions to the committee, Mr M I said a passenger had requested him to park near to the school gates and wait for them to return and he had only mounted the pavement because it was a narrow road.

But in revoking his licence the committee said he had exhibited unacceptable behaviour as a professional driver and a disregard for public safety and was therefore was not fit and proper to hold one.

In a second case heard by councillors, a driver identified as Mr I H admitted he had been convicted by magistrates for driving on a defective tyre and not wearing his seat belt after police investigated an accident when his car had hit a brick wall.

He told the committee the accident had happened as he was driving his taxi in snowy, icy conditions and had skidded on black ice.

He explained he had purchased a tyre two weeks before the accident and had assumed that it was safe.

But revoking his licence councillors said drivers should be clear of major road traffic offences for a period of three years and the committee had no reason to depart from guidelines.

Author:  edders23 [ Tue Oct 08, 2019 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offe

people get very passionate when it comes to things like that NEAR SCHOOLS

No doubt exaggerated by the witness but people get very overprotective and critical of drivers around schools

Author:  Sussex [ Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offe

Both very harsh IMO.

:sad:

Author:  StuartW [ Wed Oct 23, 2019 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offe

Taxi driver rushing to collect sick daughter loses licence after driving on pavement

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black- ... k-17131914

The driver has had his private hire licence withdrawn, despite him explaining he was rushing to collect his sick daughter, after councillors were shown a video of his car mounting a pavement to pass vehicles slowing down before a junction

A taxi driver who mounted and drove along a pavement as children walked to school has had his private hire licence withdrawn.

Sandwell council’s licensing sub-committee revoked the unnamed man’s permit at their August meeting – despite him explaining he was rushing to collect his sick daughter.

Minutes of the meeting, which was closed to the press and public, reveal councillors were shown a video of his car mounting a pavement to pass vehicles slowing down before a junction.

They stated: “The sub committee noted, moments prior to the driver’s vehicle mounting the pavement, a young person in school uniform had just walked along the footpath on their way to school.”

Following the incident, he was convicted in July this year of driving without due care and attention and his private hire licence was suspended.

In his defence, the driver – identified only as Mr A T – explained to councillors that prior to picking his passenger he had received a call telling him his child had suffered an asthma attack and needed to be collected.

He said he only mounted the pavement and undertaken other vehicles as he was rushing to drop off his fare before attending to his daughter.

He admitted he had made a mistake and apologised.

But in explaining their refusal to lift the suspension and renew his licence the committee said: “Mr A T had committed a serious road traffic offence whilst carrying a passenger in the early morning when school children were walking to school.

“Guidelines specified that the starting point for the committee was revocation of the licence and the sub committee could see no reason to depart from the guidelines.”

Mr A T was advised of his right to appeal to a magistrates’ court within 21 days of receiving written notification of the decision.

Author:  StuartW [ Wed Oct 23, 2019 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offe

Quote:
They stated: “The sub committee noted, moments prior to the driver’s vehicle mounting the pavement, a young person in school uniform had just walked along the footpath on their way to school.”

Still nothing to suggest any pedestrian was in any immediate danger. Just happened to be a schoolkid on the pavement earlier :roll:

But in a way his excuse doesn't help much - says he was rushing to see sick daughter, but problem is there was unconnected passenger in the motor at the time.

By the way, this is the photo and caption used by the Birmingham Live site to illustrate the piece:

Image
Private hire vehicles

Author:  x-ray [ Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sandwell drivers' badges revoked over minor traffic offe

“Rushing to pick up his sick daughter” what a lame excuse this is. She wasn’t that sick otherwise an ambulance would have been called. Yes, I agree, you’d be anxious and worried and you’d want to get there ASAP but putting other people at risk just isn’t on.

I think the punishment is a bit harsh though, if he had a clean record with regards complaints against him I think hauling him up before the ‘panel’ and a written warning would have been sufficient.

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