Taxi Driver Online

Drivers fined for refusing blind passenger



TWO taxi drivers have been prosecuted for refusing to carry a blind person with their guide dog.

Talib Hussain, aged 51, of Chevron Close, Marland, was fined £125 and Mohammed Idress, aged 37, of Bolton Road, Sudden, was fined £100 at Rochdale Magistrates Court.

Both defendants were also ordered to pay £128 costs for refusing to take the blind passenger accompanied by their dog while they were standing at Station Road taxi rank.

It is the first time Rochdale Council has prosecuted taxi drivers for the offence, which is against the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people when providing goods or services.

Beverley Wilkinson, the council’s licensing manager, said: "We prosecuted Mr Hussain and Mr Idrees for refusing to allow a disabled passenger to take their guide dog with them on a journey.

"We saw this as a clear breach of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and had no hesitation in taking the case to court."

She added: "Although this is the first case like this we have taken to court, the council is prepared to take legal action against any other taxi drivers who discriminate against disabled people in this way."

Mike Tyerman from the Greater Manchester district team of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association says the problem is not uncommon and they do encourage guide dog owners to pursue complaints.

He added: "Somewhere taxi is not turning up or driving off or refusing a service.

"We do get a significant number of people saying they won’t use a particular taxi firm but sometimes it just comes down to individual drivers."

He says the reasons that drivers give most often are that they are allergic to dogs or that it conflicts with their religion or cultural beliefs and added: "I think it tends to be individuals and a misunderstanding from a religious context.

"We tend to get most concern from the Muslim community but when we talk to somebody well versed in Muslim texts they say guide dogs and working dogs should be no problem."

Fellow taxi drivers waiting at the Station Road taxi rank say they had never had any problem with carrying guide dogs.

Khadam Hussain, a taxi driver for 20 years, said he had not heard about any drivers refusing to carry guide dogs.

He said: "I believe it’s my moral responsibility if somebody can’t see and a dog can help him, as a human being I’ve got a responsibility to help people who haven’t got their vision.

"God gifted sight to me and it’s my responsibility to help those who can’t see."

He said he was not aware of any cultural concerns around drivers taking dogs in their vehicle.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, who drives a black cab, says he is happy to take guide dogs and believes most others are, too.

"The guide dogs are good dogs – there is no problem with them."

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

Maybe more of us should keep dogs as it builds up a better understanding of each other and of the Blind...

I think some sections of our trade need to adhere to the law, or f*** off out of the trade.

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IDFIMH

I agree. Everyone knows the score re guide dogs.
By now they should also know that this "religious belief" stuff doesn't wash in court.
If they are allegic, they should have obtained a medical exemption beforehand, not just trot it out as an excuse.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

The Guide dogs I have picked up are better behaved than some of our customers.

We've just had one of ours reported for refusing a blind person and her dog, but knowing our lilly livered council they won't do anything as they are frightend about race discrimination and couldn't afford the court case

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Life? Don't talk to me about life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjm2eslm6hI

That's no excuse for not enforcing the law!!

I'm quite happy with dogs providing they sit in the front footwell where a) I can see what they're up to and b) all the dogs hair is in one place.

You seem to have the same type of council as here. I'm fed up of race discremination being shoved down my throat as a reason for the council to ok bad drivers and customer service. Maybe I should throw the sex descimination card at them and see if it works any

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Yes toots (& echo) I do sympathise....but in this case I think it is safe to presume from the drivers names that they are from the ethnic community.

Incidentally the only driver up here caught refusing a guide dog was a white saloon driver.....he subsequently was let of with a slight slap on the wrists.

And toots don't play the sex discrimination card.....you'll merely end up in manacles

CC

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

I know a Korean taxi driver, he loves dog

and ive picked up quite a few dogs in my time

Before I clicked on this thread, I could have told you the contents and the drivers / excuses involved.

South of the river?

CC

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

Got a two week unpaid holiday to boot.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-fe ... xi-ban-duo

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IDFIMH

How many f*cking times...............

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stressed controller!!!