Taxi Driver Online

Leicester Mercury

January 1, 2008 Tuesday

Man seriously injured after being hit by taxi

A man is in a "serious but stable condition" in hospital after he was hit by a taxi as he crossed the road.

The accident happened on the city-bound carriageway of the Belgrave Gate, Leicester, around 3.20am on Saturday, December 29. It involved a black hackney carriage taxi and a pedestrian, a man in his 40s.

Police today launched an appeal to find any witnesses to the incident to help with the investigation.

The man, who has not been named, was taken to Glenfield Hospital where his condition was described by police as "serious but stable". The driver of the taxi was not injured.

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was on Belgrave Gate on Saturday morning, close to the junction with George Street, who may have witnessed this collision or events leading up to it."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Pc Louise Lees from the road traffic unit on 0116 222 2222.
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Mid Devon Gazette

January 1, 2008 Tuesday

Points peril for taxi drivers

Mid Devon cabbies could lose their hackney carriage rights if too many penalty points appear on their driving licence.

Drivers who get six points in a year or nine during a three-year period will have to take the Driving Agency Standard Test (DSA) or they could lose their licences.

Mid Devon District Council's licensing manager, Marjorie Parish, said: "Since April anyone applying to us for a licence to drive taxis has had to pass a specific DSA test.

"For us to license drivers we need to be shown they are fit and proper; if they are not we cannot license them." Criminal convictions, character references and medical fitness are also checked.

Mrs Parish said: "Most of our drivers drive well so we decided not to apply this requirement to current drivers, but we will require them to pass the DSA test if problems arise with their driving." Other circumstances could require a driver to take the test. Mrs Parish said the council always investigated complaints and that people should feel confident they are being driven safely by a trustworthy person in a clean, comfortable and roadworthy vehicle.
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