UBERK USA

Twenty-five year old Uber driver Danyal Cheema faces a second-degree manslaughter charge for allowing a Long Island teenage passenger to ride on the roof of his car. The teenager, who was identified as Ryan Mullen, ultimately fell off the car, hit his head on the pavement, and later died as a result of his injuries.

According to ABC7, 15-year-old Mullen from Laurel Hollow, New York was reportedly "car surfing" on top of Cheema's Toyota Highlander. As a result of the fall, he suffered a "traumatic brain injury" and later succumbed to those injuries in his sleep, just hours after he arrived at his destination. Prosecutors say Mullen was with two other teenagers at the time—one of whom also "car surfed" but did not fall off and another who recorded the pair's antics on Snapchat—and claims that Cheema accepted $40 from the group to let them perform the stunt.

Mullen's family is apparently and understandably angry, with Ryan's father Matthew Mullen saying to ABC7, "What if the driver was responsible enough to say no? What if he reacted differently and got our son medical attention?"

Cheema, who made no comments at his arraignment at Suffolk County Criminal Court on Monday, is held on $200,000 bail and has had his driver's license suspended. He reportedly faces five to 15 years in prison. According to police, he has confessed on video.

https://goo.gl/sGwkNA
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 LIVERPOOL

 More than forty taxi and private hire drivers have been arrested for drug driving on Merseyside since the start of the year, police have revealed.

A spate of recent incidents has prompted Merseyside Police to issue a stark warning to cabbies and private hire drivers that taking drugs and driving could result in losing their job, being imprisoned and even them or someone else dying.

There have been six tweets in the past fortnight from the force's Roads Policing Unit have about specific instances of this crime, and Inspector Keith Kellett told the ECHO it was a "disappointing" trend.

Black cab drivers have been amongst those caught by police (Image: Bristol Live)

He said: “Drug driving is a serious offence and leaves our communities vulnerable. All motorists have a duty of care to themselves, those they are travelling with and other road users which is why it is particularly important that taxi drivers and private hire companies consider the risks they may be putting themselves and others in if they’re found to be driving whilst using drugs.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/more-fourty-taxi-drivers-arrested-15375079
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 MILTON KEYNES

 Dozens of private hire drivers went on strike during the rush hour this morning to demand a £5 minimum fare.

Currently minimum fares are set by each company but the average is £3.20.

The private hire drivers, who congregated at Stadium MK, say their profits have fallen over the past 16 years due to increases in the cost of fuel, insurance, maintenance and council plating.

Hackney carriages (black cabs) in MK have a £3 start rate, (£4.40) for the first mile. £1,60 for the next mile and thereafter a charge of £2.00 per mile.

But MK’s private hire rate is one of the lowest in the UK , say drivers.

Stuart Day, general manager of Bounds Taxis said: ““We having a meaningful dialogue with our drivers. We understand their concerns.”

The drivers, who went on strike for two hours between 7am and 9am, are also asking for no fixed price village pickups and increased prices for airport runs,


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LEEDS

Masked robbers armed with a handgun and a hammer targeted a taxi office in Leeds in the early hours of this morning (Monday).

Police were called to the Club Cars private hire office, in Driver Terrace, New Wortley, at about 2am today.

Three men - including one armed with police believe was a handgun and another carrying a hammer - threatened staff after bursting into the office.

They also stole a cash box containing money, a handbag, mobile phones and keys from the staff.

The offenders, who had their faces covered, then fled towards the Clydes.

One of the men has been described as being black, police said.

Detective Inspector Dave McDougal, of Leeds District CID, said: “This was a frightening experience for the members of staff involved and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the people responsible.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and witnessed anything suspicious or anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 13180554149 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

https://goo.gl/miDu2S