Taxi Driver Online

Five private hire drivers have been fined a total of more than £7,500 for illegally trying to pick up passengers.

Northampton Borough Council has run regular operations targeted at catching private hire drivers prepared to pick up unauthorised fares, thereby breaking the law.

At Northampton Magistrates Court earlier this month, five drivers who had agreed to take unbooked fares in such a sting operation were sentenced.

One driver was disqualified for six months after reaching eight penalty points on his licence.

Private hire drivers invalidate their insurance if they pick up passengers who have not prebooked their journey.

The drivers were all prosecuted for illegally plying for trade and driving without insurance. Some also failed to display the correct badge or documentation.

Councillor Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington), Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for performance said: "The safety and protection of the public is paramount, and we want people to get to their destination safely. I would hate to think what would happen if there were an accident involving an uninsured driver.

"It is just unacceptable for any driver to be on the roads without insurance, more so when you think of an uninsured taxi with passengers.

"I would advise anyone to either book a private hire vehicle through a company or use one of the town's many black cabs which do not need to be pre-booked."

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