Taxi Driver Online

Glasgow private hire cabbie loses licence for driving at double speed limit on Great Western Road

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... s-21364281

Zubair Majid claimed he was speeding for a customer who had missed a train and needed to make an appointment in Rutherglen - but the licensing committee raised concerns about the safety of his driving.

A cab driver has lost his private hire car licence after he was caught driving at more than twice the speed limit on Great Western Road.

Zubair Majid was caught speeding by police officers in December 2019 before he was convicted, fined £200 and had his licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Mr Majid was brought before the licensing committee on Wednesday morning to explain his actions.

He said: “At the time of the offence I was an east end taxi driver and I took a job from Dumbarton.

“The customer had missed her train and was looking to get back to Rutherglen for an appointment there. I know that I need my licence to be clear to have this job and I hold my hands up.

“It was a bit confusing because I don’t usually drive on that side of the city where the incident happened. I take full responsibility for what I have done. I know I could have lost my licence and I am sorry for what I have done.

“I’m a very cautious driver now and I’ve learned from my mistake.”

Members raised concerns about Mr Majid being able to drive people safely around the city in light of this event.

They also highlighted that drivers often have to take passengers to places within Glasgow they will be unfamiliar with.

Councillor Rhiannon Spear said: “We have hundreds of drivers out there that do their job well and don’t get caught speeding.

“It is not our job to make sure you can meet your personal commitments, it is your job to ensure you meet the requirements of licensing and I’m worried you are not doing that.”

Councillor Elspeth Kerr added: “You need to be able to get people safely from a to b. If you are speeding at 64mph in a 30 zone that is not safe.

“Driving at this speed on a road which is not a motorway is putting people in danger and potential situations which cannot be managed by hospitals and could result in death.

“You need to show us how we can trust you to be a fit and proper person to drive around in our city.”