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A #Zoom taxi driver has been accused of using a hand-held mobile phone to answer a phone call whilst he was driving with #SEN students in his car earlier this year.
A Zoom taxi driver, Phil, was driving special needs students from their school to their homes and allegedly answered his mobile phone whilst he was driving.
Student and founder of #LCN, Dwayne Hards, has said he feels 'very angry, upset, and ignored that the taxi driver would use his phone whilst he was driving'.
The taxi firm were aware of Dwayne's #Autism, #ADHD, and his road safety anxieties of 'bad driving' but still still decided to use his phone while he was driving. Dwayne also had a previous bad experience with a taxi driver in his previous home town, Milton Keynes.
When Zoom were informed about Phil's wrongdoing, they apologised and said "it wouldn't happen again", but Dwayne said "sorry doesn't cut it - using a phone while driving is distracting and can kill. I also have a fear of cars now and won't use them, I will only use public transport like buses, trains, and trams, as well as aeroplanes".
Zoom refused to sack Phil despite his duty of care towards school students.
Zoom and the taxi driver knew that Dwayne had a taxi driver in Milton Keynes who used his phone while driving and the amount of distress and anger it caused him.
Because of Dwayne's bad experiences with car drivers, including taxis, he is refusing to get in cars and says he "hates them and wants them banned".
Releasing Potential, Dwayne's former school in #Chichester, said "if the taxi driver lost his job it would be a shame", Dwayne said in response: "you can justify his corrupted and wrongful actions until it's you or someone in your family that's killed or injured by a distracted driver".
Dwayne accused the school and the taxi company of 'corruption' and said they are both "non-compliant with the safety or special needs of the children they are meant to help".
This incident happened around the end of #April, 2021.
Dwayne called for the taxi driver to be sacked from his job and receive a £200 fine and 6 penalty points or be prosecuted, however, his request was rejected.
Dwayne said: "I never thought I would enter a car with a driver whom would use their hand-held mobile phone, however, I have been very unlucky to have been in a car with two dangerous drivers, it is disgusting to be honest. He needs the sack."
One of Dwayne's parents said: "Why do taxi drivers insist on using their phones whilst driving, this is the second time this has happened on Dwayne's transport to and from school, so now there is no way we can get him to school. So f#ck#ng angry."
Dwayne has refused to attend Releasing Potential School since around six months ago after his form tutor, Harry Stansfield, allegedly used a map on his phone whilst he was driving him back to his home, he also failed to indicate multiple times. Harry apologised, but Dwayne 'wasn't having it'.
Dwayne only uses public transportation now, not including taxis, minibuses, or cars. Dwayne also refuses to go in cars because he says he 'feel safe on buses because they drive amazingly'.
As far as we know, West Sussex County Council have not been notified about this incident.
Dwayne said: "Where's the justice? He wasn't fired, prosecuted, or even slapped with penalty points and a fine, In fact, he is still taking students to and from school. It's a disgrace."
Dwayne is advising locals in the area and visitors 'not to use the corrupted taxi company or attend Releasing Potential School'.