'Abuse' fine at Manchester Airport

sgj_2

While my partner was dropping me off at Manchester Airport, a taxi driver was behind us and hooting his horn for us to move out of the way, rather than just ask politely out of his already open window. There was clearly enough room for him to pull out without the need to interupt our saying goodbyes as I am about to deploy with the armed forces for 6 months and won't see my partner until I return.
As my partner asked what he was hooting at I explained in a rather louder than normal voice.
5 minutes later as a smug looking chap in a "traffic control" illuminous vest (no mention of police or police uniform) came over just as my partner was driving away and informed them they would be receiving a ticket for being abusive towards the taxi driver. Though I hadn't heard him say this until it was repeated to me on the phone by my partner later on.
I'm wondering, who is this ticket of £60 being legally issued by (if it even is at all) and how would this claim hold up in court?

goldspanners

this sounds like another reason why our country has gone mad.
dont hurt the taxi drivers feelings but if you would like to partake in illegal drugs we will create a safe environment for you to do so.
tell them to shuv thier fine up the taxi drivers !!!!!.

maninthestreet

If you do receive a penalty charge notice through the post, you can challenge it in court- presumably it will be the taxi driver's word against you and your partner's word.

crittertog

Hmm ... anyone notice the irony that if it were on the public road, the taxi driver should be being fined, as sounding your horn whilst stationary (unless it's to prevent an accident), is an offence?

Enfieldian

How will they issue said ticket without the driver's details? (assuming that your partner did not provide any information)

Sounds similar to private parking tickets to me, if an invoice is received via registered keeper details then it is the responsibility of the driver and it is up to them to work out who that was.......

steveo3002

what a shambles this country is

so its the taxi drivers word against your partner?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Hmmm, I can't see this happening unless the taxi driver actually initiated a complaint himself - and the chances of that happening would be extremely slim, especially as you weren't a paying customer.

The yellow-vested freak sounds like a prize idiot to me. Yellow vests do tend to give people a false sense of superiority.

dzug1

steveo3002 wrote: »

so its the taxi drivers word against your partner?

Well possibly - but OP has admitted the charge:

As my partner asked what he was hooting at I explained in a rather louder than normal voice.

Whilst that may pass for normal in the services (or would have done at one time - I expect I'm out of date) in civilian life it is mildly abusive.

OK it's an OTT reaction by the airport authorities, but the facts don't seem to be disputed.

I'm surprised they didn't try to do you for illegal parking as well/instead - stopping for longer than necessary to set down a passenger. Maybe the abuse one is easier to make stick - though I suspect it won't if it comes to it.

zzzLazyDaisy

Am just wondering if OP was parked in a taxi rank?

sporedude

Kinda derserves it for being a d*ck

mikey72

maninthestreet wrote: »

If you do receive a penalty charge notice through the post, you can challenge it in court- presumably it will be the taxi driver's word against you and your partner's word.

That and all the cctv. Whatever happened, it will be recorded, if the taxi could fit out, if he was blocked, how long it went on for, the response to the horn, who was driving, it'll be there, so whoever is in the right should come out on top in court.