Taxi Driver Online

Think it's maybe best I say nothing about this one, just in case anyone important happens to read it


Edinburgh taxi driver caught in act for third time and branded motorist a 'clown'

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/ed ... t-33531646

'If you get caught again, it's not going to be a warning'

A taxi driver has been slapped with a warning after being caught smoking in his cab three times and having a confrontation with another driver.

Councillors at Tuesday’s licensing meeting heard from driver James Hutton, who licensing officers also said was caught without his taxi badge on him.

Trading standards manager Tom Veitch read the allegations to councillors, saying Hutton told licensing officers he ‘didn’t care’ when caught on the third smoking offence.

On the incident with another driver, Mr Veitch said Hutton had a complaint of ‘aggressive or threatening behaviour’ lodged against him.

Mr Veitch added that the various incidents – including a case where Mr Hutton had been caught out without the vehicle’s registration papers – had happened since 2023.

Officers requested that councillors consider suspending Mr Hutton’s taxi driver’s licence.

The owner of the taxi Mr Hutton drives spoke on his behalf for much of the hearing, with the driver himself speaking up to answer questions.

He said Hutton had driven the taxi for 20 years, without issues he had been aware of ‘until now’.

The owner continued: “He’s dealing with a bit of stress at the moment because of issues, and he’s sought advice regarding these issues.”

He added that Mr Hutton had given him an undertaking that he would no longer smoke inside the taxi.

On the ‘threatening’ incident, the owner said Mr Hutton had called a driver who he thought clipped the taxi a ‘clown’, and said the other driver could have been trying to get him in trouble.

The owner of the taxi took responsibility for the situation where Mr Hutton was caught out without the registration papers, saying he could ‘only apologise for the oversight’.

SNP councillor Norman Work asked for clarification about the time Mr Hutton was caught without his badge.

The taxi’s owner said: “What Jimmy said to me was when he was out on the rank cleaning the taxi, that’s when the chap approached him.

“He did have the badge, but it was in the glovebox, and he wasn’t wearing it when he was outside the taxi, giving it a quick clean on the rank.

“He did present the guy with his brief and the guy said look, okay I appreciate you had it, but I’m still going to have to report you.”

The owner added that it had been an oversight.

Committee convener and Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat asked Mr Hutton to elaborate on the incident between him and the other driver.

Mr Hutton said it had occurred near the roundabout where Queen Street and Hanover Street met, and that he had left his taxi only to check the cab for damage.

Green councillor Chas Booth asked Mr Hutton if he regretted the incidents, and asked for an undertaking that he would not smoke in the taxi any longer.

He replied: “It’s been a stressful time, and genuinely it’s a hard habit to break. I won’t be smoking in the taxi, that’s for sure.

“I did actually get fined for smoking in the taxi, but I have paid the fine.”

Mr Hutton also confirmed that he regretted the incidents.

Responding to a question from Cllr Mowat, Mr Veitch said most of the incidents had happened at the taxi rank on Waverley Bridge.

She also asked if Mr Hutton had undertaken a required three day refresher course, to which the driver replied he had just missed the window to sign up.

Due to the expiry date of his licence, he has six months left to take the course.

Cllr Mowat said: “I think given the explanation about the personal circumstances of the driver, my inclination is towards a warning rather than a suspension given the personal circumstances.

“Knowing the training course is coming up and Mr Hutton is going to have to do that refresher training, knowing the owner is making stringent checks on the smoking.

“I’m struggling to see how this adds up to a suspension, but I would be recommending a warning.”

The committee agreed with the position.

Cllr Mowat then told Mr Hutton: “We’ve agreed to issue a warning. If you get caught smoking again, it’s not going to be a warning.

“I’ll ask the service to make sure you get an early date for your course.”

Think that's a case of 'fettering your discretion'.

_________________
IDFIMH