February 12, 2018 11.50 am This story is over 72 months old

Council bans taxi driver for smoking in his car

He continue to smoke despite repeated warnings from the council.

A taxi driver in Grimsby had his licence revoked after he carried on smoking in his car despite multiple warnings.

Smoke-free legislation introduced in 2007 requires all vehicles used to transport members of the public are to be smoke-free at all times.

All taxi drivers must comply with this legislation and not smoke in their vehicles at any time – including the use of e-cigarettes.

If a licensed driver is seen smoking in their vehicle they are given a written warning on the first occasion.

If a licensed driver is witnessed again, they can have their licence suspended or revoked if they continue to repeat the offence.

North East Lincolnshire revoked the driver’s licence after giving him a number of warnings and suspensions.

The driver, Raymond Robinson, 66, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, appeared before Grimsby Magistrates’ Court to appeal the decision but the Magistrates upheld the committee’s decision and agreed the revocation of his licence should stand.

The case comes after a campaign to keep taxis in North East Lincolnshire smoke free had seen the number of warnings issued fall by more than half in only two years.

Cllr Gaynor Rogers, chair of the North East Lincolnshire Hackney Carriage Sub Committee, said: “We care about the health of taxi passengers and want them to have a journey of the highest standard.

“The majority of licensed taxi drivers in North East Lincolnshire are committed to giving their customers a first class service, but in this instance the driver failed to meet the standards expected of them.

“We’ve made it clear to all drivers that smoking in their vehicles is not acceptable and I’m pleased the Magistrates have backed our decision and revoked the driver’s licence.”