OT. Taxi driver rage
 

In tonights local rag a piece about a taxi driver who beat a passenger with
a wheel brace after he critised him for allegedly exceeding the speed limit
and running red lights.
The judge didn't jail him on the grounds he'd lose his job.

Do we really want taxi drivers who assault passengers that object to being
driven through red lights?

Am I odd because I think any respectable company would sack him anyway for
beating up a customer?

(Well, ok, I might be odd for other reasons ;-)
Pete.

"Peter B" wrote in message
...
In tonights local rag a piece about a taxi driver who beat a passenger
with
a wheel brace after he critised him for allegedly exceeding the speed
limit
and running red lights.
The judge didn't jail him on the grounds he'd lose his job.

Do we really want taxi drivers who assault passengers that object to being
driven through red lights?

Am I odd because I think any respectable company would sack him anyway for
beating up a customer?

(Well, ok, I might be odd for other reasons ;-)
Pete.



Do you know how many of thise guys have past convictions? Quite a lot, I
heard. To go to those lengths, the passenger must have really wound him up.
Always two sides to a story ...

"Peter B" wrote in message
...
In tonights local rag a piece about a taxi driver who beat a passenger
with
a wheel brace after he critised him for allegedly exceeding the speed
limit
and running red lights.
The judge didn't jail him on the grounds he'd lose his job.

Do we really want taxi drivers who assault passengers that object to being
driven through red lights?

Am I odd because I think any respectable company would sack him anyway for
beating up a customer?

(Well, ok, I might be odd for other reasons ;-)
Pete.


==============
He might be self-employed / owner-driver - quite common.

Cic.

elyob opined the following...
Do you know how many of thise guys have past convictions? Quite a lot, I
heard. To go to those lengths, the passenger must have really wound him up.
Always two sides to a story ...

Probably. But I don't care how much he was wound up, he has no right to
attack the passenger (Except in self-defence) and the law has no place
quashing a sentence because it would make him unemployed.

OK. We don't have all the facts but...

He is a bad driver (He was being criticised for his driving)
He is violent (His reaction to criticism was to beat up the critic)

Doesn't really seem like the sort of person whose job we should be
protecting!

Jon

"Jon Senior" jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOTco_DOT_uk wrote in message
...
elyob opined the following...
Doesn't really seem like the sort of person whose job we should be
protecting!

Agreed, but I certainly have the street sense to not have a go at him. I'd
just say "drop me off here", and complain to the local council licencing
dept and his bosses *after* the event.

"Peter B" wrote in message
...
In tonights local rag a piece about a taxi driver who beat a passenger
with
a wheel brace after he critised him for allegedly exceeding the speed
limit
and running red lights.
The judge didn't jail him on the grounds he'd lose his job.

Do we really want taxi drivers who assault passengers that object to being
driven through red lights?

Am I odd because I think any respectable company would sack him anyway for
beating up a customer?

The council's Licensing Committee may well remove his licence for a period
anyway -- which will hit him hard in the pocket.

T

elyob opined the following...
Agreed, but I certainly have the street sense to not have a go at him. I'd
just say "drop me off here", and complain to the local council licencing
dept and his bosses *after* the event.

I always feel that I should say something (And often do if I'm on a
bike!). I usually chicken out because I don't fancy an argument with the
man responsible for taking me somewhere. As a general rule, I avoid
taxis because I find it embarrassing to be associated with that level of
driving.

Jon

Peter B wrote:
In tonights local rag a piece about a taxi driver who beat a
passenger with a wheel brace after he critised him for allegedly
exceeding the speed limit and running red lights.
The judge didn't jail him on the grounds he'd lose his job.

Do we really want taxi drivers who assault passengers that object to
being driven through red lights?

Am I odd because I think any respectable company would sack him
anyway for beating up a customer?

(Well, ok, I might be odd for other reasons ;-)
Pete.

Here's an idea: take down the details of any taxi driving dangerously and
report them (anonymously if necessary) to your local council regardless of
whether you are a passenger or not.

Simonb wrote:
Here's an idea: take down the details of any taxi driving dangerously and
report them (anonymously if necessary) to your local council regardless of
whether you are a passenger or not.

That works on London Black Cabs, if one cuts you up or whatever, shout
their number (it should be clear on the plate on the rear of the cab) at
them, repeat it a few times if necessary and threaten to report them.
They back off so fast it's funny. Because to a licensed cabbie it's not
funny. They only need a few unconnected complaints (even if they're not
upheld) over the course of a few years and things can get messy when
they renew their registration.

"Peter B" wrote in message
...

In tonights local rag a piece about a taxi driver who beat a passenger with
a wheel brace after he critised him for allegedly exceeding the speed limit
and running red lights.
The judge didn't jail him on the grounds he'd lose his job.

I bet he blew any chance of getting a tip!