By: Emily Mathieu Investigative News reporter, Mary Ormsby Feature reporter, Published on Tue Feb 05 2013
Beck Taxi driver Bernard Koranteng has been convicted of assaulting a female passenger, threatening death and dangerous driving.
He is still picking up fares — one of 255 Toronto cabbies the city has tried and failed to get off the road.
Among them are drivers convicted of stunt racing.
Failing to stop for a school bus.
Failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
Multiple assault convictions.
Drunk driving.
Sexual assault.
A Star investigation has found that of nearly 340 drivers who appealed the city’s decision to refuse to grant or renew their taxi licence in the past five years, only 53 were denied. The majority of those who were already licensed were allowed to continue driving, usually as a result of a plea bargain made at a civilian appeals tribunal.
The Star also found that the city only checks a cab driver’s criminal and driving record every four years. A senior official said the city is evaluating whether every four years is enough after the Star raised the issue.
Many drivers who had been identified by the city as a possible danger to the public escaped with probation or a few days of suspension. Some had no conditions placed on their licence and all of this was done with very little public scrutiny.
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http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2013/02/05/assault_drunk_driving_death_threats_the_cab_drivers_the_city_cant_get_off_the_road.html