Official Close Pass Licencing response

[Arch]

I think that's a result. The driver's had a kick up the arse and probably a bit of a fright and promised to do better. If he doesn't (and like Mr Toad, anyone can promise to do better), any more reports against him will be taken seriously.

Yes, you could go to the police, but I'm afraid I'm not sure you'll get much more out of it, and may be handicapped by not having taken it straight to them. A gracious line drawn under it (with a condescending stroke of your pen, of course) is perhaps the best way.

I do admire your unwillingness to let this sort of thing go unchallenged though. So many of us do just grumble, and that'll never get anything done.

 

[Origamist]

I think its pretty much what most would expect, but someone losing their job because of a complaint based on safety is a real possibility, and maybe worth keeping in mind.

It certainly is worth keeping in mind: don't be afraid to put your safety before someone's career. Well said, Col.

 

[col]

It certainly is worth keeping in mind: don't be afraid to put your safety before someones career. Well said, Col.

The sort of reply I should have expected from you. Think how serious the incident is, or how much you instigate it before you try to get someone into trouble.

 

[Origamist]

The sort of reply I should have expected from you. Think how serious the incident is, or how much you instigate it before you try to get someone into trouble.

Yes, it has helped you clarify what you actually wanted to say; but please, don't thank me. I feel it my duty to help you.

 

[col]

Yes, it has helped you clarify what you actually wanted to say; but please, don't thank me. I feel it my duty to help you.

No Im grateful, it shows the ignorance that needs to be overcome, cheers

 

[Origamist]

No Im grateful, it shows the ignorance that needs to be overcome, cheers

Col, your life and safety on the road means more to me than the career of any taxi driver.

 

[col]

Col, your life and safety on the roads means more to me than the career of any taxi driver.

Why thank you, yours does to me too

 

[Joseph]

I'd be inclined to drop it at this point.

As someone else mentioned, it's perhaps worth asking questions like "will this be kept on file?" and "if a similar complaint happens against this driver in the future what action can/would you take?". It's unlikely to be worth taking this one to the police at this stage, but at least you'd know whether it's worth taking further cases to the licensing authority or not. And if gives you another chance to offer to go in and talk to the drivers about how to interact cyclists

 

[Joseph]

Couldn't find the standard conditions for Glasgow private hire licenses, but I'd imagine it's not 100 miles away from these ones:

http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/licensing/taxi/phd/phdconditions

which doesn't appear to mention anything about the standard of driving or mention anyone other than the hirer.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I would do 2 things
1 - Check that this incident will be kept on his file
2 - Ask to see these "Conditions" attached to his Licence. I have found some and nowhere is the standard of driving mentioned.

He was probably obeying this one from Glasgow's

(6) The driver of a private hire car which has been hired shall drive to the destination by the shortest practicable route unless otherwise instructed by the hirer.

Unfortunately the shortest route was over you.

I wonder how many stick to this one

(14) The driver of a private hire car shall, after the completion of each journey, search the private hire car for any property which may have been left therein.

www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/76D2C7BD-9E0F-4A82-AFB8-D1E1462EC30B/0/PHCDCOND.DOC

 

[Arch]

Yeah, he's probably crapping himself

Well, ok, but assuming the emails we've seen tell the story correctly:

Someone junior asked him about it and he said oh yeah, that pillock, it was all his fault, tell him to F off.

Couple of days later, someone senior gets back from holiday, hauls him in, and questions him in such a way that he feels he may actually have been at fault after all and oh, sorry.

He thought he'd got away with it, and it was then proved that he hadn't. That may have taught him something.

Of course if the emails aren't telling the story (maybe someone thought they could palm Magnatom off, then realised they couldn't), then the driver may indeed not have learnt a thing.

 

[HLaB]

Well, ok, but assuming the emails we've seen tell the story correctly:

Someone junior asked him about it and he said oh yeah, that pillock, it was all his fault, tell him to F off.

Couple of days later, someone senior gets back from holiday, hauls him in, and questions him in such a way that he feels he may actually have been at fault after all and oh, sorry.

He thought he'd got away with it, and it was then proved that he hadn't. That may have taught him something.

Of course if the emails aren't telling the story (maybe someone thought they could palm Magnatom off, then realised they couldn't), then the driver may indeed not have learnt a thing.

That sums up my thoughts too

 

[magnatom]

Interesting. I get an e-mail suggesting that the guy didn't give a toss, by accident. Boss comes back, waits a few days and then sends an e-mail telling me that the guy is sorry. Mmm. I wonder.

My gut tells me that some truths are being stretched here. What I would love to know is, since the last e-mail, have they really had another chat with the driver, invited him in, found a convenient date and told him he was in the wrong, and suddenly he has come over contrite, or...... have they waited a little bit and wrote to me and changed the approach of the letter such that it will get me off their back.

I'm just hypothesising of course, but the sudden change in attitude of the driver over a few days just seems a little, contrived. I hope I am wrong of course, perhaps I am.

Hey, ho. Despite what I may think, I reckon the driver will at least think twice before doing it again, which is the result I am looking for. Hopefully one less driver who will just ignore cyclists.

I can understand those who say the police should have been my first port of call. However, despite popular belief I am not out to put people out of a job. A bollicking/dress down, where the driver is informed of the issues with their driving is enough for me, certainly in this case. I just have a sneaky suspicion that it didn't quite happen like that.

What does surprise me though is that taxi licence conditions have no clause in them that the driver should drive with due care and attention for other road users etc. Hmmm. Something that needs to be addressed perhaps?

 

[thomas]

I can understand those who say the police should have been my first port of call.

They wouldn't have done anything extra probably.

 

[downfader]

They wouldn't have done anything extra probably.

I think that depends on the force and the officer. They are slowly starting to realise that this sort of stuff matters and that a driver leaving little room for error is not cool. Cyclists are becoming a bigger minority due to many reasons and this does lead to a bigger need for safer roads