Taxi driver given dressing down by magistrate, fined K2000

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A TAXI driver was scolded by a traffic court magistrate and slapped with a K2,000 fine for driving without due care and attention.
He had failed to observe the right-hand rule, the obligation to give way.
Magistrate Rebecca Kwayaila remanded Simon Anis, 35, from Romang village, Dei, Western Highlands.
She ordered that Anis be released when his fine was paid or face three months’ jail in default.
Magistrate Kwayaila told Anis that taxi drivers were the worst offenders when it came to traffic offences.
She said they had the tendency to drive recklessly on public roads as if they owned the road. Magistrate Kwayaila called for such behaviour to stop.
She said there were rules and laws to guide road users, pedestrians and other drivers.
She said that cab drivers also had the responsibility towards the safety of the passengers they were transporting.
Magistrate Kwayaila said such drivers should not be carried away yarning with their passengers while driving.
Police Prosecutor Const Austin Dasiga submitted for the maximum K2,500 fine.
However, Magistrate Kwayaila fined Anis K2,000 because he had plead guilty and saved the court’s time.
Police reported that on Tuesday, while driving some passengers out of Gordon Market, Woodcock Street in Port Moresby, Anis collided with another vehicle.
He failed to stop to give way to a vehicle coming from his right.
That resulted in the accident.
Police reported that he was busy talking to his passengers, was not paying attention and ran into the other vehicle.