Taxi driver who sat in woman’s lap to drive overcrowded vehicle slapped with multiple charges

The taxi operator who placed a woman in the driver's seat of his car then sat in her lap to operate the overcrowded vehicle, which was seen in a viral video, has been hit with multiple charges.

According to the Transport Authority, Calvin Cameron was charged by the police for dangerous driving; operating with excess passengers; operating without insurance coverage, a Transport Authority Badge, and uniform; and operating contrary to the terms and conditions of his road licence. 

In addition, the motor vehicle was examined by the Island Traffic Authority and found in breach of the standard or the law of a public passenger vehicle. As a result, the plates were removed from the vehicle.

Following the charges, Cameron made a videotaped apology for his actions.

“The Transport Authority has reaped success in an investigation of a recent viral video of a driver of a public passenger vehicle, who sat in a passenger's lap in the driver's seat while operating the motor vehicle,” the agency said in a statement this evening.

“The joint authority and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) operation resulted in the driver being taken into custody and charged.”

Transport Authority's Managing Director, Ralston Smith, said he is considering other actions against the reckless driver, in accordance with their suspension and revocation policy.

Further, the Transport Authority and the JCF said they will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement activities of public passenger vehicles to ensure public safety and compliance with the laws.

Smith is reminding drivers/operators of PPV that they are entrusted with the lives of their passengers and have a duty of care to all road users. He stressed that these kinds of driving behaviours have the potential to endanger the lives of commuters and road users in general.

“The authority encourages the public to fully utilise its WhatsApp (876 551-8196 or 876 926-8912) and the Drive Safe App to report the various infractions that may be committed by PPV operators, so that the appropriate sanctions can be applied. Additionally, the Transport Authority is encouraging members of the commuting public to choose only legal public passenger vehicles as their mode of transportation,” the agency said.

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