Taxi Driver Online

Steveo, what's all this about?


TAXI DRIVER LOSES LICENCE

A taxi driver has been stripped of his private hire licence after notching up 19 penalty points. Terrance Oates, aged 64, right, was told he had an "appalling driving record" after being convicted of a string of motoring offences.

Mr Oates, of Law Walk, Southway, who worked for Taxifast, said he was devastated at the decision of the council's hackney carriage licensing committee and intends to appeal.

He already had seven points on his licence when the council allowed him to become a cabbie last year. Over the next 12 months he racked up another four speeding offences, adding 12 more points to his licence - bringing his total to 19.

Magistrates, who would usually ban anyone who had 12 points, decided Mr Oates could carry on driving, despite five speeding convictions and another for running a red light.

The council only learned about Mr Oates' convictions since becoming a taxi driver when he handed in his driving licence in a routine annual review of his private hire licence last month.

The matter was then referred to the licensing committee which decided to revoke his private hire licence, citing his list of offences and also his failure to notify the council of any of the later convictions, which he was required to do.

A report to committee members said Mr Oates' record showed 'either a complete lack of comprehension for, or total disregard, for the rules and regulations relating to drivers of motor vehicles'.

Mr Oates admitted his record "looks terrible", but added: "I am not a speed freak. I am a responsible driver. The public are not in danger. I have completely changed the way I drive anyway.

"If I am found to be going over the speed limit at any time my driving licence will be gone, and I know that."

The hearing was adjourned while he brought a regular fare to act as a character witness. Margaret Wilson, aged 83, of Mannamead, told the meeting she had never known Mr Oates to speed. "I have never had occasion to be afraid," she said. But Mrs Wilson did feel that speeding was 'irresponsible'.

Highlighting Mr Oates' convictions for speeding, committee member Cllr Derick Bray said: "I think that shows a complete disregard for public safety, for the laws on speeding. I don't consider you to be a responsible person."

Pointing out that none of the offences had taken place when he had a passenger, Mr Oates said: "I drive in a responsible manner, particularly when I have people on board."

On his failure to notify the council of offences, after becoming a taxi driver, Mr Oates said: "I must apologise to the council for that. That's totally my fault. I have no excuse for that whatsoever.

Following the hearing, he said: "I am devastated. My life is completely wrecked. I have got no job. I have got no prospect of a job."

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IDFIMH

i kept mum about this one last week as he was then still driving for us and was about to go before the council.

but he was asked to leave Taxifast last week, and yesterday (tuesday 12th) the council took his PH licence off him.

there was a full page dedicated to this in last weeks local rag:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L228411EA


12:00 - 08 April 2005
A Plymouth taxi driver who has racked up 19 penalty points has been allowed to return to city roads by magistrates - AND been given a new three-year licence to drive a cab.

Terrance Oates, 64, already had seven points on his licence when Plymouth City Council allowed him to become a cabbie last year.

Then over the next 12 months he stacked up another four speeding offences, adding 12 more points to his licence - bringing his total to 19.

But magistrates, who would usually ban anyone who had 12 points, decided Oates could carry on driving, despite five speeding convictions - on one occasion twice in one day - and another for running a red light.

Plymouth City Council officers also let Oates continue to carry passengers in a taxi in Plymouth, despite noting his recent convictions - although they immediately referred his case to the licensing committee.

Their report, due to be considered by licensing officials next week, said that Oates's record showed 'either a complete lack of comprehension for, or total disregard, for the rules and regulations relating to drivers of motor vehicles.'

Speaking to the Herald, Oates, of Law Walk, Southway, said that one of the speeding offences was due to a medical emergency and another was because his brakes were waterlogged in heavy rain and he could not slow down in time.

He added: "I have changed the way I drive. I look at the speedo now every time I look in the mirror. I could understand people's concern, but you have to look at what's what.

"The situation is that you should not forget I'm on the road four or five times longer than most people. I'm at more risk of being caught by speed cameras. I've been driving for 40 years and I've never hit anyone or anything. Nobody was in the car when any of these incidents happened."

Mr Oates has only been licensed as a private hire driver since March 29 last year. He already had two offences on his licence - one of failing to comply with a traffic signal on August 1, 2002, for which he was given three penalty points, and another of speeding on January 22, 2003, for which he picked up four more points.

On May 2 last year, less than five weeks after becoming a taxi driver, he was given another three points for speeding. He picked up three more speeding convictions that year: once on August 12 and twice on September 25. On February 24 this year Plymouth magistrates fined him a total of £180 and endorsed his licence with another nine points, but did not impose a disqualification, even though he had 19 points. Usually, 12 points is all that is needed for a ban under the 'totting-up' procedure.

Mr Oates told the Herald the magistrates had found he would suffer 'exceptional hardship' if banned. He convinced magistrates he would lose his job if he lost his licence and would not be able to find alternative employment. Magistrates also took into account his wife's diabetes.

He said: "No licence, no drive and no job. Once you get past 50 it's very hard to get another job."

Mr Oates said the August speeding incident was caused by him failing to brake in time before 30mph speed cameras on Western Approach, because of heavy rain.

One of the two occasions in September was due to what he called 'a medical emergency' - but the other offence that day was not on the same trip. On that day he exceeded the 70mph speed limit on the A38 at Deep Lane and the 30mph limit on Plymbridge Road.

The council learned about the latest convictions when Mr Oates handed in his driving licence to officers in a routine annual review of his private hire licence on March 16.

He walked away with a new three-year private hire licence because officers do not have the power to overturn licences themselves - but his case was recommended to go before the next hearing of the licensing committee.

Mr Oates was contacted by the Evening Herald through the control room of Taxifast, for whom he works, but cut short the phone interview saying he had a passenger.

A report to go before the licensing committee says: "Officers feel the antecedence of motoring convictions listed calls into question the suitability of Mr Oates to hold a licence issued by the council which permits him to carry passengers around the city."

John Preece, boss of Taxifast, said he did not know all the details but said most of the speeding was only 'five or six' miles above the limit, and added that all his drivers went through speed cameras thousands of time a year.

He added: "This city is an obstacle course for cameras. I have no concerns because of the decision that the magistrates have made. If he had gone at 20mph over the limit I would expect him to lose his job. Our accident record is second to none."

The licensing committee will consider Mr Oates' case on Tuesday, April 12.

It can suspend or revoke Mr Oates's taxi licence, but even if he is stripped of the right to operate a taxi he will still have a driving licence.

A spokesperson for Plymouth Magistrates' Court said that 19 points on a licence could mean a driving ban, but even though the 'totting-up' system set a maximum of 12 points, magistrates had the discretion not to impose this ban if the defendant could show 'exceptional hardship'.

An exception to this discretionary option was if a motorist was convicted of driving with excess alcohol, when a ban was mandatory.

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personally i'm still suprised he didn't get a driving ban.

to make some pathetic excuse about his brakes being water-logged, and still getting caught on the speed camera, to me is suggesting that he must of been well in excess of the speed limit to begin with.

i got caught out on the same speed camera recently (my first offence in 15 years i might add ) but at least im man enough can say fair cop, i was caught doing 40 in a 30, without making up some BS story to try and cover it.

Also the newspaper article had a picture of him smoking next to the car, which is against company policy, not a very good image for Taxifast. so that may have been the straw that broke the camels back you could say.

We have just got passed so that drivers who get 4 points have to do the dsa taxi test.
that bloke would have to do 5 of them.

Given Taxifast's obvious desire to foster a clean cut image I'm surprised that Mr Preece tried to downplay things.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

a taxi driver getting points for speeding is hardly worth a full page!

I think the 19 number could have swayed it.

That aside when you court the paper with taxi stories, they get an appetite for more and more.

_________________
IDFIMH

Does your paper have non-taxi stories as well Steveo?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

back in the news again, but this time with a front page headline:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?A28B5120B

NINETEEN POINTS AND STILL WORKING
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12:00 - 03 May 2005
A taxi driver who was stripped of his private hire licence because he had 19 penalty points is still driving a taxi in Plymouth.

Terrance Oates was told by Plymouth City Council that he had an 'appalling driving record' and after the matter was referred to the licensing committee on April 13 his licence was revoked.

The 64-year-old, who worked for city cab firm Taxifast at the time, has since been sacked.

But because he has 21 days to appeal the case and can drive while that process is under way he is now working for taxi company Silverline.

Plymouth City Council has told the Herald that it is Mr Oates' legal right to not only drive while he decides whether or not to appeal but also if he does appeal he can continue working until it is heard and concluded.

It is understood Mr Oates plans to appeal against the council's decision.

A spokesperson for Silverline said that he was legally allowed to continue to work.

But Licensed Taxi Association secretary Roy Hamilton said drivers with bad records were 'not wanted'.

Mr Hamilton said: "It puts the trade in a bad light - unless they have extremely extenuating circumstances they shouldn't be in the trade.

"If someone gets three points, then six months later they get another three and so on then they are just not listening.

"We do not want them - it gives the trade a very bad name."

Mr Oates, of Law Walk, Southway, had his licence revoked at a council meeting on April 13. He said then that he intended to appeal.

He already had seven points on his licence when the council allowed him to become a cabbie last year.

During the next 12 months he racked up another four speeding offences, adding 12 more points to his licence - bringing his total to 19.

Magistrates, who would usually ban anyone who had 12 points, decided Mr Oates could carry on driving, despite five speeding convictions and another for running a red light.

A spokesman for his new employer, Silverline, said: "He is driving because he is still a licensed private hire driver.

"My understanding is that he had points on his licence before he became a private hire driver.

"I understand that the points are for speeding. The Magistrates Court has heard the case and allowed the case to go through.

"It is simply that the local authority has the view that he is not a fit and proper person to drive.

"But until the appeal is determined that's what will happen."

A spokesman for Plymouth City Council said: "In cases where the Licensing Committee revokes someone's private hire licence they have, by law, 21 days to appeal against the decision.

"During this time they have a legal right to carry on driving. If the driver does not lodge an appeal they will be asked, after the 21 days, to hand in their licence.

"If they do lodge an appeal they have a legal right to drive until their appeal is heard."


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you'd have thought that no PH company in the city would touch him with a barge pole given this bad publicity.
but then going by sliverlines past PR record it comes as no surprise

I wonder who told the press he was still working, and for whom?

_________________
IDFIMH

the newspaper are not going to let this one lie.....

http://makeashorterlink.com/?M69013E1B

LIMIT NO BAR TO DRIVE TAXI

TOM PALMER

12:00 - 21 May 2005
Taxi drivers in Plymouth are being allowed to continue to work despite having reached the legal limit of penalty points on their licences. The Herald has obtained details of all 869 registered private hire drivers in Plymouth and their points - and the list shows six drivers who have reached the 12-point maximum.

Of those six, three have now been banned and one is due to have his case heard by the council at the next Licensing Committee meeting.

However, one driver has been allowed to continue to work and another is appealing against a council decision to take his licence - and is allowed to keep driving while the appeal process is going on.

The figures show that a third of all the city's taxi drivers have points on their licences, and of these many are within one offence of also reaching 12 points.

Plymouth City Council told the Herald in a statement: "All private hire drivers must notify us of any penalty points and criminal convictions they receive.

"Where appropriate, the Licensing Committee will make a decision on whether or not the driver is still 'a fit and proper person' to hold a private hire licence.

"Even where the courts do not disqualify someone from driving, the Licensing Committee may still revoke their private hire licence.

"Of the three drivers (who were not banned), one has had his private hire licence revoked by the committee and is appealing against the decision, and another is due to have his case heard at the next meeting.

"Only one has been allowed to keep his private hire licence, and this was after careful consideration of his case on its individual merits, also taking into account the fact that the Magistrates' Court had allowed him to keep his driving licence."

Secretary of the city's licensed taxi association Roy Hamilton said that with so many cameras in Plymouth picking up points was 'a hazard of the job', but if a driver was still committing offences after reaching six points 'they're not listening.'

"It's a hazard of the job getting three points, but once you're up to six you should be listening and taking notice," he said.

"It doesn't help the image of the trade for people to think drivers are going round with more than 12 points."

John Preece, who runs Plymouth's largest private hire company, Taxifast, said that drivers with more than 12 points did not help the image of the trade but added that cameras were only a 'revenue-maker for the police'.

"It does give a bad image to the trade, but the police are putting all their effort into speed cameras," he said.

"I'm an advanced driver and I believe in safety but the cameras are just a revenue-maker.

"I'd be quite prepared to debate with the police about where they put them, because they're not at accident blackspots.

"Our taxi drivers on average will go through 39,000 cameras in three years, about 50 a day, so I'm not surprised that drivers who may go four or five miles an hour over the limit will build up 12 points."

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At times you have to take into account the number of miles a cab driver will travel each year? In most cases they do at least the equivalent of three years normal driving to that of the average motorist. A court however will no doubt take a dim view of professional drivers who habitually break the road traffic laws. The only solution is to be more diligent of your surroundings or perhaps invest in one of the early warning speed trap radar systems.

Regards

JD

I think we should be reminded that Taxi drivers are not the only ones that fall foul of road traffic laws. The following link is to a very severe case of what can only be describbed as reckless driving, the problem in this instance is that it was a member of Her majesty's police force who commited the offence.

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.j ... eed117.xml

Regards

JD

At times you have to take into account the number of miles a cab driver will travel each year? In most cases they do at least the equivalent of three years normal driving to that of the average motorist. A court however will no doubt take a dim view of professional drivers who habitually break the road traffic laws. The only solution is to be more diligent of your surroundings or perhaps invest in one of the early warning speed trap radar systems.

Regards

JD

J.D...SIR...THERE is a way to beat the camer syatem if you look at it.. T

I often "look at it" but from a safe distance. Even though I'm extremely photogenic I prefer to stand behind the camera rather than in front of it.

I know you prefer the limelight because I've managed to obtain some old footage of you in action in front of the camera, however I haven't made up my mind yet if that's where your true vocation lies?

Have you found the Rushmoor case for me yet? Perhaps you should be banished until such time you can come up with Rushmoor.

I trust you noticed I amended your text. It can't be that hard to type one sentence and get it right.

JD

I can assure you that when you are dyslexi , it is a problem, but this is helping me tremendously.
I thought that you might like to work it out, there is a way ,look at the system they use,it is flawed......mr T...kiss