Can't recall any previous articles from the Alloa and Hillfoot Advertiser, but this is the second one in a couple of days
And the previous one involved a minor collision with a cyclist, while this involves a minor collision with a pedestrian
But presumably just a coincidence, or a change in the newspaper's reporting priorities, rather than a sudden upsurge in taxi incidents in Clackmannanshire
Cabbie who drove into a child must pass test to keep workinghttps://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/19 ... p-working/A DRIVER who failed to report a minor collision with a 12-year-old in Alloa will have to pass an advanced driving course to see his taxi license granted.John Stein Gold McDonald appeared for a hearing at Clackmannanshire Council's Regulatory Committee last Thursday, September 23, applying for a taxi drivers license.
The application went in front of a panel of councillors as he declared a road traffic conviction.
According to a Police Scotland sergeant, Mr McDonald failed to report an accident which took place at around 3.45pm on Tuesday, October 8, in 2019 on Alloa's Broad Street.
The virtual meeting heard it involved a taxi driven by the applicant, who had since retired but told the committee was looking to return to work, and a 12-year-old female who walked across the road.
The sergeant said: “The applicant stopped and was described as shouting abuse at the female that he had struck, stating that she should not have been on her phone, crossing the road.
“The female subsequently denied this was the case.
“The applicant then left the area without leaving his details and did not subsequently report the matter to the police.”
The 12-year-old, who “suffered very minor bruising to her leg”, informed her parents and police was notified.
Mr McDonald was later traced and charged for failing to report the collision before being fined £170 and having his drivers license endorsed.
“On the day it happened the lassie did come out between a car and with her phone in her hand”, he explained to the committee.
“I did stop; I got out the car, what I did say – I didn't swear at her or anything like that – I just raised [my voice]: 'You are a stupid lassie, with your phone in your hand pay attention, you could have got killed'.”
He told the meeting the girl said sorry and walked away but he was asked to make a statement to police a week later, when he said she appeared uninjured.
Mr McDonald added: “It's a first I've ever had that kind of thing, I hadn't even known that offence actually occurred, I didn't even know it actually existed and I've been driving now for about 44 years and that's the first it ever happened.”
The virtual meeting heard it involved a taxi driven by the applicant, who had since retired but told the committee was looking to return to work, and a 12-year-old female who walked across the road.
The sergeant said: “The applicant stopped and was described as shouting abuse at the female that he had struck, stating that she should not have been on her phone, crossing the road.
“The female subsequently denied this was the case.
“The applicant then left the area without leaving his details and did not subsequently report the matter to the police.”
The 12-year-old, who “suffered very minor bruising to her leg”, informed her parents and police was notified.
Mr McDonald was later traced and charged for failing to report the collision before being fined £170 and having his drivers license endorsed.
“On the day it happened the lassie did come out between a car and with her phone in her hand”, he explained to the committee.
“I did stop; I got out the car, what I did say – I didn't swear at her or anything like that – I just raised [my voice]: 'You are a stupid lassie, with your phone in your hand pay attention, you could have got killed'.”
He told the meeting the girl said sorry and walked away but he was asked to make a statement to police a week later, when he said she appeared uninjured.
Mr McDonald added: “It's a first I've ever had that kind of thing, I hadn't even known that offence actually occurred, I didn't even know it actually existed and I've been driving now for about 44 years and that's the first it ever happened.”
Cllr Kenny Earle pressed the driver on the claim he was unaware he had to report a road traffic collision.
Mr McDonald responded: “When she walked away, I thought there was nothing to say and I just went away.”
Following a private debate, councillors agreed to grant Mr McDonald's license on the condition he first completes an advanced driving course.
Councillor Chris Dixon said: “This has been difficult for all of us and I'm not going to hide the fact that members have got concerns about this applicant and whether they are a fit and proper person to drive a taxi.
“However, I would move that the license be granted – however – the license would not take effect until the applicant has completed the advanced driving course.”
Cllr Martha Benny signalled she was against granting the application.
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