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Taxi driver prosecuted
Published 31.01.2012 09:47
Spelthorne Borough Council secured the conviction of Mr. Mohammed Nasim at Staines Magistrates’ Court on 25 January for overloading his taxi vehicle with passengers and for failing to ensure that there were sufficient seatbelts.

To ensure passenger safety and adequate seatbelt provision, Mr. Nasim was only permitted to carry a maximum of six passengers in his taxi. However, on 1 June 2011 he was observed carrying eight passengers and, again on 1 October 2011, carrying seven passengers.

Mr. Nasim had failed to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of those passengers and as a result of these breaches of Spelthorne’s Hackney Carriage Byelaws, Mr. Nasim was convicted and given a £500 fine. He now has a criminal record and was also ordered to pay £348 in prosecution costs to the Council.

Mr. Nasim will now be required to declare this conviction to the Council’s taxi licensing department and the Licensing Sub-Committee may be formed to consider whether he is a fit and proper person to continue to hold a taxi licence.Customers should be aware that the outside of all taxis operating in the Borough are clearly marked to specify the number of passengers that can be safely carried.

Cllr Robin Sider, Chairman of the Licensing Committee said: “Passenger safety is paramount and the operation of taxis is strictly regulated by the Council in its role as a licensing authority. Taxi drivers are expected to comply with the Hackney Carriage Byelaws and should not be endangering public safety by overloading their taxis.”

Cllr Colin Davis, Cabinet Member for Economic Development said: “Where there has been a clear disregard for the law and passenger safety, the Council will not hesitate to prosecute those who commit such offences. Mr. Nasim has to pay in the region of £850 and now has a criminal record. It is hoped that this serves as a warning to taxi drivers.”

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