Colchester taxi drivers suspended THREE taxi drivers working in Colchester have had their licences suspended.
Action was taken against one of the drivers, who allegedly used a mobile phone while driving, and another, who is accused of failing to comply with rank discipline and ignored traffic signs.
A third allegedly ignored rank discipline – by leaving a hackney carriage unattended in a rank – and reversed up the town’s High Street.
Colchester Council, which licenses private hire cars and hackney carriages, would not provide details of where and when the offences took place or the firms the drivers are employed by.
However, it said the offences came to light after drivers were spotted breaching rules by either council officers or the police.
CCTV footage was then downloaded to back up their witness accounts.
The driver who is accused of using his mobile phone has been suspended for 21 days, the second driver for 28 days and the third driver’s suspension period is still to be determined.
The suspensions have been imposed as the council claims the drivers failed to comply with the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
The council monitors taxi drivers’ behaviour through a penalty points scheme and drivers who accrue 12 points are suspended.
The drivers can appeal against the suspension within 21 days.
A Colchester Council spokesman said: “The decision to suspend lies with the licensing team, based on the evidence.”
Depending on howmany points the drivers may have accrued, the matter may also go to the council’s sub-committee who can uphold, reduce, increase or dismiss the suspension.
If the driver is unhappy with that, they have the right of appeal to magistrates, who cannot overturn the decision, but refer it back to the committee to hear again.
More than 700 taxi drivers hold licences with the council.
source:
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/13438888._/
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