Taxi Driver Online

Taxi Driver Fined For 'nudging' Passing Drunk With Cab

4th September 2008

A taxi driver, who had stopped to allow a drunk to cross the road, lost his patience and decided to help the man on his way by "nudging" him with the cab.

The drunk, however, fell against the taxi and two passing police officers ordered the cab to the side of the street.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, 42-year old Graeme Matson was fined £90 and had four penalty points added to his licence. Matson of Sighthill Drive, Edinburgh, had pleaded guilty previously to a charge of careless driving in George Street on January 26 this year. Sentence had been deferred for background reports.

Fiscal Depute, John Kirk, described the event as "a very unusual road traffic incident". At about 11 pm the police officers saw the drunk male near a pedestrian crossing in George Street. Matson stopped his cab to allow the man to cross. "The drunk was taking a great deal of time to use the crossing " said Mr Kirk. "The officers saw the taxi move forward in an attempt to nudge the pedestrian out of the way.

This was done on more than one occasion and the pedestrian fell against the taxi. The officers moved the drunk from the roadway and asked the taxi driver to pull over". While this was happening, the drunk made off. Matson told the officers: "I was trying to nudge him out the way".

Defence agent, Diane Moore, told Sheriff Alistair Noble that Matson had been a taxi driver for 16 years. If disqualified it would be difficult for him to support his wife and two children. Matson, she added, had no previous convictions. "The second it happened, he realised he was wrong and should not have done what he did" she said.

Fining Matson and endorsing his licence, Sheriff Noble said: "I don't think this is a matter for disqualification".


Source; Edinburgh Evening News


AND ALSO


Driver Fined For 'nudging drunk'

4th September 2008

An Edinburgh taxi driver, who had stopped to allow a drunk to cross the road, decided to help him on his way by "nudging" him with the cab.

However, the pedestrian fell against the taxi.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, taxi driver Graeme Matson was fined £90 and given four penalty points.

Matson, 42, had already pleaded guilty to careless driving in George Street on 26 January. Sentence had been deferred for background reports.

Fiscal Depute, John Kirk, described the event as "a very unusual road traffic incident".

At about 2300 BST, two police officers saw the drunken man near a pedestrian crossing in George Street. Matson stopped his cab to allow the man to cross.

Mr Kirk explained: "The drunk was taking a great deal of time to use the crossing.

"The officers saw the taxi move forward in an attempt to nudge the pedestrian out of the way.

"This was done on more than one occasion and the pedestrian fell against the taxi.

"The officers moved the drunk from the roadway and asked the taxi driver to pull over."

While this was happening, the drunk walked away. Matson told the officers: "I was trying to nudge him out the way."

Defence agent, Diane Moore, told Sheriff Alistair Noble that Matson had been a taxi driver for 16 years.

If disqualified it would be difficult for him to support his wife and two children.

Matson, she added, had no previous convictions. She said: "The second it happened, he realised he was wrong and should not have done what he did."

Fining Matson and endorsing his licence, Sheriff Noble said: "I don't think this is a matter for disqualification."


Source; BBC News; Scotland

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Brummie Cabbie.

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i thought that was the point of bull bars?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

We really need a Jay walking law in this Country.

I often wonder why they never done that, they done everything else.

Amazing!

This guy is fined £90, but gets to keep his licence. While only a few months ago a cabby is charge with a breach of the peace and his licence is revoked.


The case never even went to court.


This guy in the story must have had friends in high places to get a result like that. Makes you wonder who gave the press the story.


Normally incidents like this go unreported.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

I fully concur with that statement my friend. There is not a day goes by without some fool crossing the road without looking, or crossing on the red pedestrian phase, or walking at a 45 degree angle to cross the road whereas the highway code clearly states you should cross 'straight' whilst crossing a road. I find it highly irritating when peds walk straight out on a pelican crossing with scant disregard for oncomming vehicles.