A taxi driver has been refused a renewed licence after a council committee ruled he was not a “fit and proper person” to continue driving following a crash in Norton.
The incident took place on Crooks Barn Lane, Norton, on 3 March, when the taxi collided with another vehicle. A witness reported that the driver appeared to be looking down at his phone at the time of the collision.
Conflicting Accounts of the Crash
The taxi driver denied responsibility and instead blamed the other driver, claiming the car had entered his lane at speed while coming around a corner. However, the other motorist told the hearing he had not been speeding on Curlew Lane and insisted the taxi driver was distracted.
The motorist also stated that the driver initially apologised and admitted fault at the scene, before later denying responsibility. He described the driver as “clearly looking downwards as he turned the corner”, suggesting he was pressing a map or sat nav.
Previous Offences Raised
During the hearing, it emerged that the driver already had 10 DVLA penalty points, including two separate speeding offences within seven months.
David Wilson, representing the taxi driver, argued that his client was not distracted and denied using a device at the time. He said the crash occurred as his client turned left while the other motorist turned right, with both drivers claiming the other was at fault.
However, Stockton Council’s licensing committee said the driver failed to offer any mitigation for his admitted speeding offences and had left “too many doubts” about his conduct and road safety.
Committee Verdict
Minutes from the meeting stated:
“Members were not persuaded that the hackney carriage and private hire driver was a fit and proper person, as they found that they had too many doubts in relation to the matters of concern before them.”
As a result, the committee refused to renew his hackney carriage and private hire licence, preventing him from continuing to work as a licensed taxi driver in Stockton.
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