City cannot act against taxi driver
The city won't be taking action against a cab driver suspected of impaired driving.
The city won't be taking action against a cab driver suspected of impaired driving.
The driver was arrested Dec. 1 after Whitehorse RCMP received complaints about his driving.
Charges have yet to be laid.
The city oversees cabs in town through its Vehicle For Hire Bylaw, which includes provisions that a cabbie's licence can be revoked upon a criminal conviction.
It does not, however, include any provision for the city to take action prior to conviction.
"We're not the courts,” bylaw manager Dave Briden said in an interview this morning.
The bylaw is not there to circumvent the justice system, he added.
There are provisions for the RCMP to suspend a driver's licence for a time if someone is suspected of impaired driving, he pointed out.
Briden also noted this is the first time in the 18 years that the bylaw has been in place where there has been an issue of a cab driver arrested for suspected impaired driving.
Once there is a conviction, the city can revoke the cabbie's licence to operate a vehicle for hire.
There is no evidence that many taxi drivers are driving around the city impaired on a regular basis, he noted.
He again emphasized this is one rare case of suspected impaired driving.
Comments (7)
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Colin R on Dec 12, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Who says the City won't become involved? Most people don't realize that though caught, there is still due process through the court system. It's a criminal matter currently through the RCMP, and although the old rule of "Innocent until proven guilty" still applies, if and when the cab driver is found guilty through the courts, I'm quite sure the City, or Bylaw could then take action as the driver would then have a criminal record for driving under the influence, which I would imagine gives the City the legal right to then revoke a cab drivers permit. Although some want to come with pitch forks and torches, they forget the legalities and process that still need to occur in an incident such as this. I have full confidence in the RCMP and the City in this incident.
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flyingfur on Dec 11, 2012 at 7:06 am
Naming the cab company is due diligence on the part of the city; not protecting citizens from a company where it is obviously accepted that one of their drivers operates the cab while impaired is ridiculous enough, but to have the Bylaw Manager say that it is not within their pervue to retract licensing for such a business for safety reasons is insane; they shoud do this and with the safety of Whitehorse citizens in mind fight out the legal stuff in the courts. For several reasons, and now this is just another, I won't take a cab in Whitehorse.
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Anonymous on Dec 11, 2012 at 2:28 am
As beyond crazy as this sounds. Why not try adding a breathalizer to all the cabs in Whitehorse for the cab drivers? Not the expensive type they hook into a vehicle after someone receives a DUI but something to say that this person is not drunk.
It also wouldn't hurt (maybe their feelings) to ask them to pass the test for you. Sidenote: Did you know in some hospitals in Canada the rate of infection from a doctor not washing their hands is 1 in 9? There are many reports and sources.(todays source: dirty doctors by CBC).
Why is this relevant? Because if I don't mind making my physician wash his hands for my own benefit when he enters a room, I certainly would have no hesitation in making one of our Cab drivers take a breathalizer to ensure my own safety.
Another thing being passed around by health care workers as well (for cab safety, yours, not the drivers). When you enter the vehicle take note of which cab # it is as well as the company name and then text all that information to someone you trust and inform the driver of what you have just done.
Stay safe in your cabs this year, many of the drivers are sober, honest and hard working. However like everything else not everyone has a spotless past, so it's up to you to help keep everyone safe and happy. Also if you have a friend who's had "too much". Take the cabs info yourself and inform the driver before sending your loved one with them.
Please have safe and happy holidays everyone!
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Arn Anderson on Dec 10, 2012 at 12:10 pm
I commend the city for not getting involved in a criminal matter. I noticed my last comment was edited in the other story. Must be Harper in Ottawa....sigh...
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Mr. Burns on Dec 10, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Why don't you just give us the name of the company. I am sure that most people will not get into a cab belonging to a company that would not suspend this driver upon suspicion of drinking and driving.
If this loser is still employed, that looks worse on the company then the driver...almost.
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stan rogers on Dec 10, 2012 at 11:33 am
Is this guy an independant driver?
I say, if he is not, when charges are laid MADD should place an ad which identifies the firm he works for. Since they should have taken him off the road they should be identified. What ethics- how low can they go. I personally am offering to pay for this ad.
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Jackie Ward on Dec 10, 2012 at 10:38 am
I hardly doubt this is a "rare" event. This guy just got caught. I'll make sure I do my part and report stupid driving by cabs and expected impaired driving. And I suggest everyone does the same.