A 24-hour suspension was slapped on a city cabbie this weekend for drinking and driving.
A passenger phoned the RCMP after being dropped off at the airport Saturday evening, concerned that her taxi driver was under the influence of alcohol.
Upon locating the driver, who cannot be named because of privacy laws, the RCMP administered a sobriety test and determined the driver had been drinking.
“The result of the readings weren’t at the threshold to charge the driver criminally,” said RCMP Sgt. Don Rogers.
The driver was instead issued a 24-hour suspension to operate a vehicle.
The name of the taxi company that the driver worked for was not released.
“The company wasn’t charged or under investigation and releasing that information may disadvantage that company,” said Rogers.
This weekend the RCMP and the city conducted a joint enforcement initiative targeting Whitehorse taxi companies.
A total of six taxi cabs were inspected for bylaw infractions. Several tickets were handed out and two cars were taken off the road for issues ranging from equipment problems to a lack of taxi permits.
Driver Mohamed Abdullahi was arrested for breaching a court order that specified he was not to operate a taxi or limousine with an unaccompanied female in his car.
On June 20, Abdullahi was arrested and charged for sexually assaulting a female passenger.
Five days later he was released on a “recognizance” and was allowed to drive only under certain conditions including not operating his vehicle with an unaccompanied female.
He is currently in custody pending a bail hearing. (Vivian Belik)