Posted on the 16th October 2025 in PHTM News
EDINBURGH TAXI DRIVER FINED AFTER RUNNING RED LIGHT AND HITTING CHILD
An Edinburgh taxi driver, Duncan Beattie, 77, pleaded guilty to driving without "due care and attention" after striking a four-year-old child at a pedestrian crossing.
The incident occurred around 3:15pm on April 15 near the junction of South Gyle Broadway and Burne Cruick.
The child had started crossing the road after pressing the button when Beattie drove through a red light.
The child's head "struck the taxi before falling backward and being caught by his parents." The child was taken to the hospital and sustained a lump on his forehead and minor bruising.
Appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Beattie told the court he did not see the red light.
He claimed the crossing's traffic lights previously showed an amber signal as the pedestrian light turned green, a flaw that has since been corrected.
When Sheriff Cook asked him directly if he ran a red light, Beattie admitted: "Yes."
The sheriff described the incident as a result of "inattention" and considered Beattie's clean driving record.
Beattie received a £400 fine (reduced from £600 for his early plea) and was given five penalty points on his licence (reduced from an initial seven).
Beattie reportedly remains a working taxi driver and intends to continue for at least another six months.
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