Taxi driver caught talking on mobile while driving

Taxi driver caught talking on mobile while driving










By Andy Hemsley
A taxi driver from the Rye and Battle area has been given points on his licence after talking on a mobile phone while driving.
The licensed Rother Taxi Driver who was spotted by an off duty police constable taking a booking for a fare while driving a passenger on the busy A20 in London.

He appeared before the Council's Taxi Licensing Panel on Friday when he admitted talking on his mobile phone whilst driving for over 10 seconds and at the same time writing down an eleven-digit telephone number.

He said his hands free device was not working.

The council has refused to name the driver or say exactly where he was from as the issue was dealt with in confidential session.

The Panel Chairman, Cllr Wendy Miers told the driver he needed to find a safer way of taking bookings. After careful deliberation, the Panel imposed eight penalty points on his licence.

Drivers who accumulate 12 penalty points in a year are automatically referred back to the panel for consideration as to whether they are a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hackney carriage licence and run the risk of losing their licence altogether.

Research has shown that driver's reaction times are up to 50 percent slower that normal when driving and using a mobile phone.

It also shows reaction times are 30 percent worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol.

Other research suggests that if you are using a mobile phone while driving you are
four times more likely to
have a crash.

Motorists caught driving dangerously while using a handheld mobile phone could now face jail under new guidelines.

The Crown Prosecution Service announced a policy change in September because of concerns that too many drivers flouting the law.

Most drivers will still face the standard penalty of a fine and points.
But where driving falls far short of what is safe, prosecutors can press charges of dangerous driving.

A Rother Council spokesman said: "Taxi licensing is just one of a range of licensing responsibilities that the Council undertakes to ensure the safety of residents and visitors to the area.

"Anyone who is concerned about the actions of any taxi driver licensed by Rother District Council can contact the Council's licensing section on 01424 787528 giving either the registration or licence plate number of the vehicle."

Nothing new there then?

stf wrote:Nothing new there then?

It may not be new "stf" but if the drivers are still using phones and taking stupid risks whilst driving, then lessons have not been learned have they?