Cabcharge

[Mardoo]

Funny how one little sentence can bring the racism up but multiple hate threads of gun toting, fat, criminal infested Americans don't cause a whimper.

As a fat, criminal infested American I resemble that comment sir!

 

[thedragon]

Dunno what I would have done in the situation by the OP.

Assuming that the driver was legit, displaying the right ID and willing to verify his identity: I'd check and pay the fare. Not paying the driver would be stealing. Stealing is illegal.

Assuming that the driver was not legit: the driver has broken the law. The driver has lied about his identity. The driver has broken s70 of the trade practices act. There are also probably workplace safety laws that have been broken. The driver has put the safety of the passenger and other drivers at risk and has driven a car that would not be covered by insurance. The driver should be prosecuted by the relevant authorities for breaking the law, not by the passenger.

Not being there, it's hard to be certain what I'd have done. However it's likely that'd have called over one of the traffic guys at the airports and transferred the decision making.

 

[Liam_snorkel]

Not by the passenger, exactly.

Its like deducting a parking fine from your fare because the cabbie parked illegally while dropping you off.

 

[manticle]

So what? the guy's driving his friend's cab while his mate sleeps so he can make a living (**** living at that). When did we become such a society of dibber dobbers?

Cabs are expensive, cabbies aren't. Treat them with respect unless they are outright arseholes.

 

[grantb]

I've certainly thought about this a lot the past couple of days and decided there's not much point trying to justify my actions. They were completely irrational and I'm not sure how it escalated so quickly. At no point leading up to that moment had I considered not paying the cabbie and it's not something I've ever done before. I do feel extremely remorseful.

In any case, it was wrong and I'll wear the label the armchair pundits have given me.

I'm curious though. If the driver doesn't hold a professional drivers license or is currently under suspension, who is liable in the case an accident kills or incapacitates either you or your partner who are passengers? I'm not so sure I support the notion that it's ok for someone without the proper credentials to be providing a taxi service. Would you let an unlicensed friend drive you and your family around? Anyway, I also accept that I don't have much credibility here. A public forum probably wasn't the best of forums to air the whole incident I the first place. I'd have happily accepted friends and family calling me a ********.

 

[manticle]

Driver of the car would be liable in any and all instances. You don't become 'unliable', if you don't have a license. In fact it's worse.

I doubt the cabbie didn't have a driver's licence. Just sharing the expense of maintaining a cab and getting more mileage out of it. Only people they are cheating is the cab company that cheats them (and us).

 

[redbeard]

I think the guy was a dick for not paying the fare, but the driver did himself no favours. In my experience 75% of sydney taxi drivers are sh*t. They take the long way, dont know where to go, expecting you to provide directions, even across the city. They drive thru red lights, not orange - red, change lanes like cut snakes, wont provide correct change (its only a $1...), wont take "short" fares despite being legally obliged to and are obviously doing 12hour+ shifts. Cabcharge is a total ripoff, backed by corrupt politicians of both sides. </rant>

karma may apply here to the OP or the cab driver or both ....

 

[bradsbrew]

I would assume the owner of the the licence associated with the particular vehicle would be held responsible for any injuries if an unlicensed person was in control of their vehicle, which they then say being driven illegally, stolen, the third party insurer would pay expenses and pursue the driver. But I'm a tradie not a lawyer.

 

[bradsbrew]

I think the guy was a dick for not paying the fare, but the driver did himself no favours. In my experience 75% of sydney taxi drivers are sh*t. They take the long way, dont know where to go, expecting you to provide directions, even across the city. They drive thru red lights, not orange - red, change lanes like cut snakes, wont provide correct change (its only a $1...), wont take "short" fares despite being legally obliged to and are obviously doing 12hour+ shifts. Cabcharge is a total ripoff, backed by corrupt politicians of both sides. </rant>

karma may apply here to the OP or the cab driver or both ....

I have no problem providing direction to the driver. Can't expect them to know every street and short cut.

 

[grantb]

I would assume the owner of the the licence associated with the particular vehicle would be held responsible for any injuries if an unlicensed person was in control of their vehicle, which they then say being driven illegally, stolen, the third party insurer would pay expenses and pursue the driver. But I'm a tradie not a lawyer.


Here's at least one story of someone's woes after being hit by a taxi driven by an unlicensed driver. It didn't take much effort to find. http://m.theage.com.au/national/its-fare-game-20090702-d6lq.html

In this case, it was only property damage. Now imagine the guy was killed, leaving behind 3 kids, a wife and a mortgage, and was the primary income earner. Wife hadn't worked for 12 years because she gave up work to raise the kids. The guy who owns the taxi is probably going to be liable, his public liability insurance is null and void and if he doesn't have the means to pay, no amount of compensation is going to matter. He can't pay it.

I don't subscribe to the notion that it's ok to lend your taxi to a mate.

 

[bum]

Yah.

You did the right thing.

It is okay, okay?

 

[manticle]

Here's at least one story of someone's woes after being hit by a taxi driven by an unlicensed driver. It didn't take much effort to find. http://m.theage.com.au/national/its-fare-game-20090702-d6lq.html

In this case, it was only property damage. Now imagine the guy was killed, leaving behind 3 kids, a wife and a mortgage, and was the primary income earner. Wife hadn't worked for 12 years because she gave up work to raise the kids. The guy who owns the taxi is probably going to be liable, his public liability insurance is null and void and if he doesn't have the means to pay, no amount of compensation is going to matter. He can't pay it.

I don't subscribe to the notion that it's ok to lend your taxi to a mate.

Which bit says he was hit by an unlicensed driver?

 

[grantb]

You're right, it doesn't. It was linked from an article on unlicensed taxi drivers - http://m.theage.com.au/national/cab-drivers-untrained-unlicensed-20090702-d6lj.html . Anyway, good to see that's all you gleaned from that.

 

[manticle]

You linked an article that had no support for your argument whatsoever and you're suggesting I'm short on comprehension? There's not even any information suggesting the driver would somehow not be responsible if he injured someone which was your other point.
Your argument has no substance so far.

 

[grantb]

My point (singular) was that it's not ok to be "driving his friend's cab while his mate sleeps". There will likely be no insurance to cover compensation for any person or their family should they become victim of an accident involving another person at the wheel of any vehicle without a valid license. Supporting evidence may be lacking, but I'm not into reading law journals. I was asking a question about who would be liable, not trying to answer it. In any case, it was a rhetorical question. I don't expect it to be answered on this forum. I'd defer to a lawyer for that.

Until someone can confirm otherwise, I believe the driver will be liable. However, the driver quite possibly won't have the means to pay any compensation awarded. In the case that someone is left permanently incapacitated, at least the NDIS woukd hopefully provide enough financial support to allow some quality of life. If they're killed, ...

 

[manticle]

Your point is based on nothing concrete which is my point.
Of course it isn't 'ok' which is why it is illegal and improper. Whether you need to go and tell an authority about it is up to you but don't pretend you're doing anything other than ******* up someone else's livelihood.

The main cause I can see for being concerned with cab id is in the case of cab driver instigated assaults, particularly sexual assaults. Rare but they do happen.

 

[pk.sax]

And this is why we have a nanny state.

Soon, Fuhrer Newman will overthrow Abbot and introduce national laws requiring a license to walk to the shops, driving unlicensed might be OK.

 

[shaunous]

Call me a heartless tight-arse, I woulda walked, and done the same thing.

Does this guy driving the cab have any insurance, is he even licensed, if we get in an accident who pays the medical bills when I'm hurt, I DO. Sorry struggling friend of real licensed cabby, you've just given me a free lift, thanks.

 

[bum]

we get in an accident who pays the medical bills when I'm hurt, I DO.

No, you fucken don't.

 

[shaunous]

Who does then???

If his unlicensed and uninsured I pay. Trust me, im going through this **** right now.

Anyway its besides the point, his driving a cab and didn't show his correct license and snatched the fake one, see ya mate and thanx for the free lift.

 

[bum]

Trust me, im going through this **** right now.

********.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Actually, he isnt bullshitting. There is even a newspaper articall about it.

I can asure you bum, you would not be saying it if you where in his position

 

[Camo6]

Damn. I'm all outta popcorn. Hang ten fellas I'll be back in a jiff.

 

[AndrewQLD]

Who does then???

If his unlicensed and uninsured I pay. Trust me, im going through this **** right now.

Anyway its besides the point, his driving a cab and didn't show his correct license and snatched the fake one, see ya mate and thanx for the free lift.

I can't imagine the legal **** fight you must be going through, hope it works out to your benefit.

 

[bum]

Actually, he isnt bullshitting. There is even a newspaper articall about it.

I can asure you bum, you would not be saying it if you where in his position

I am not for one second suggesting that his situation is pleasant and wish him as successful a resolution as is possible but I strongly suspect that he was not the passenger of a dodgey cabbie. He cannot make a one-to-one comparison between his situation and the one he's describing. Because that is ********.

As for what I would say if I were in his position, I don't know his position but if it were even close to the one he describes in relation to the OP then I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be suggesting that doing a runner would be sufficient restitution.

 

[bradsbrew]

Wouldn't the compulsory third party insurance pay the victim and then pursue the unlicensed driver? If the vehicle was unregistered it would be different.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

God help you if they are involved

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

I am not for one second suggesting that his situation is pleasant and wish him as successful a resolution as is possible but I strongly suspect that he was not the passenger of a dodgey cabbie. He cannot make a one-to-one comparison between his situation and the one he's describing. Because that is ********.

As for what I would say if I were in his position, I don't know his position but if it were even close to the one he describes in relation to the OP then I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be suggesting that doing a runner would be sufficient restitution.

You should run for PM.

 

[bum]

You should run for PM.

I'm not backtracking. I think perhaps my intention may be misunderstood by people who knew Shaunous' situation. I know nothing of it other than what has been mentioned here and most certainly wish him the best with that.

 

[shaunous]

I cant see how you can stick up for a guy who is using someone elses ID to drive a cab.

Would you complain about the Gun Shop Owner if I lent my gun license to a mate and he never sold him a gun or some ammo because its not him in the picture, its the same **** bum, its fraud. You cant just guess the driver is working around the clock to feed his starving family and borrowing or stealing a cab driver ticket is a means to buying his poor kids some food. Guilty until proven innocent.

Wouldn't the compulsory third party insurance pay the victim and then pursue the unlicensed driver? If the vehicle was unregistered it would be different.

Yeh, that's probably right in the example I used, my bad.

I'm not backtracking. I think perhaps my intention may be misunderstood by people who knew Shaunous' situation. I know nothing of it other than what has been mentioned here and most certainly wish him the best with that.

I knew your intention, I just don't see how you could come to it, for reasons stated above. Its illegal.