Taxi Driver Online

Battle taxi drivers fighting

THREE Battle taxi drivers have been reprimanded for fighting in front of members of the public and abusing customers.

The trio, who have not been named, appeared before Rother District Council's Taxi Licensing Panel on December 21.

Two of the drivers had fought in the porch of Battle station one late afternoon in September, in full public view.

The drivers, who had been asked to appear before the licensing panel, were given the opportunity to put forward a case as to why the council should not revoke their licences.

Both drivers kept their licences, but were awarded 10 penalty points under the council's recently-introduced scheme.

If the drivers are awarded any further penalty points by officers during the year for failing to comply with licensing conditions, they would be automatically be referred back to the panel, who would consider whether to revoke their licences.

The third driver was found to have been abusive to other taxi drivers, a passenger and a council officer.

He was awarded nine penalty points.

Councillor Christopher Starnes, chairman of the panel and Rother District Council's Licensing and General Purposes Committee, said: "It is extremely important that the public can have complete confidence in taxi drivers.

"It is equally important for the taxi trade, who generally conduct themselves to very high standards, to see that the council will take action against the minority of drivers who do not show complete professionalism at all times.

"The panel's decision demonstrates the seriousness with which we viewed these incidents and gives a clear message that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated."

Rother District Council adopted the penalty points scheme in August.
Points are awarded for infringement of the rules and if any driver reaches twelve points in a twelve month period, they will be required to appear before the panel to persuade the panel that they are a fit and proper person to continue to hold a licence.

The first taxi driver in Rother to receive points was handed nine in September after refusing to carry a blind passenger and his guide dog.
Members of the public who have concerns about taxi licensing matters should telephone the licensing officer on 01424 787550 or e-mail: taxis@rother.gov.uk.

28 December 2006

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

News

Feuding taxi drivers pick-up 10 point fine

TWO taxi drivers involved in a street scuffle have fallen foul of Rother's new disciplinary rules.

Each has been handed a 10-point penalty by a licensing committee panel.
A third driver has also had a 10-point penalty following a complaint about his attitude to the council's licensing officer.

Taxi and private hire licensing panel members councillors Keith Bridger, Chris Starnes and Bob White met in camera with Cllr Starnes in the chair.
They heard a confidential report from director of services Tony Leonard about a dispute between the two drivers.

The Rother minute of the hearing says: "The report gave details of a dispute that had arisen between the two drivers which had resulted in physical violence.

"In light of this incident the panel were asked to determine whether the drivers remained fit and proper persons to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence.

"Letters in support of the taxi company had been circulated to the members of the panel.

"The council's legal representative advised the panel on the matters which should be taken into account in determining these cases and the options open to them.

"The panel heard evidence from the head of environmental health, the drivers and one of the driver's legal representatives, who were in attendance.

"The panel proceeded to hear the case.

"Members considered the evidence and agreed that action should be considered against both the drivers.

"The panel agreed in accordance with the council's penalty points scheme that 10 points should be added to both drivers' Hackney Carriage Driver's Licences.

"These points would remain on the drivers' Licences for a year commencing from the December 21, 2006. Should a driver receive additional points in the next year and accumulate 12 points then the driver would be required to appear before the taxi licensing panel for consideration as to whether the driver's licence should be revoked."

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

Happens every night in my office .

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stressed controller!!!