Taxi driver who 'looked at phone' before collision refused licence

HE DENIED BEING DISTRACTED WHILE LOOKING AT WHERE HE NEEDED TO GO

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

A TAXI driver has been denied a licence after councillors heard he was “looking at his phone” in a crash.

Another motorist complained that the taxi driver was “not paying attention to the road as he was looking at his mobile telephone” when their two vehicles collided on Crooks Barn Lane, Norton, at 4.30pm on March 3.

The crash was discussed as the unnamed taxi driver asked the Stockton Council’s licensing committee to renew his Hackney carriage and private hire driver licence, which had expired in March.

The taxi driver disputed the other motorist’s account.

He said the other driver caused the crash by coming into his lane at speed as he came around a corner.

He denied being distracted but admitted looking at a device to see where he needed to go.