Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Cabby fined while helping 94-year-old into his car
Exclusive
A taxi driver is furious at being slapped with a parking fine as he helped a severely disabled 94-year-old into his car.
David Moore, 30, of Sturry Road, Canterbury, was issued a ticket after pulling over to pick up the elderly volunteer from a charity shop in Whitstable.
The city cabbie parked outside on yellow lines so the frail pensioner would not have to walk far.
But his appeal for leniency fell on deaf ears when he was approached by a warden patrolling the town’s High Street.
“I wasn’t even in the car but he said if I drove off I would be arrested,” Mr Moore said. “I ignored him and carried on helping the lady.”
Mr Moore challenged the £70 ticket but his appeal was rejected by Canterbury City Council because the customer, who works at the Cancer Research shop one day a week, did not carry a blue disabled badge.
“It’s not about the money, it’s the principle,” Mr Moore said.
“If I was out shopping I would be bang to rights, but I was help- ing an old lady - she can’t walk.
“We have a duty of care to our customers. They rely on us to get out and about. This customer would not have been able to walk further down the road.”
Mr Moore, who has worked for Abacus Cars for two years, decided to take his case to court and was overwhelmed by the response from well-wishers.
“I have had so much support from the people of Whitstable, with some even offering to donate money towards the tribunal costs,” he said.
“It’s been overwhelming. I came into work on Sunday and there was a letter with £20 to help towards the fees.”
Mr Moore planned to donate the money to Cancer Research if his court challenge succeeded, but after the Gazette contacted the city council his ticket was cancelled.
The authority’s enforcement manager, Lacy Dixon, said: “It’s a very difficult balancing act for our enforcement officers and they have acted entirely appropriately.
“Parked cars that break the rules have a huge impact on other motorists, stop buses getting through and would pose a serious problem for the emergency services racing on blue lights to save people’s lives.
“Drivers’ motives for stopping simply do not remove those dangers.
“On this occasion we recognise Mr Moore was acting with the best of intentions and will be contacting him to say we have cancelled his ticket.
“If an enforcement officer sees him parked in this spot again in the future, he will be issued with a penalty charge notice.”
Mr Moore said afterwards: “I’m pleased that I do not have to pay the fine, but I still think cab drivers should be able to stop in the High Street to pick up fares. I am going to organise a petition.”
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