The child’s head struck Duncan Beattie’s taxi as he drove along South Gyle Broadway.
Duncan Beattie(Image: EdinburghLive)
An Edinburgh taxi driver struck a four-year-old child after driving through a red light while pedestrians were crossing a busy road.
Duncan Beattie, 77, told the court he did not see the red light as he drove along South Gyle Broadway, near the junction with Burne Cruick, on April 15, reports Edinburgh Live.
Beattie appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, October 15, representing himself, and pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.
The court heard that at around 3.15pm, the child had pressed the button at the traffic lights and had just taken a few steps onto the crossing when Beattie drove through, forcing an evasive manoeuvre.
Despite his efforts, the child’s head struck the taxi before falling backward and being caught by his parents.
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Following the collision, Beattie was reportedly in “a state of shock” and “extremely upset.” The child suffered a lump on his forehead and minor bruising and was taken to Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital.
Beattie told the court that the crossing’s traffic lights previously showed an amber signal as the pedestrian light turned green, which has since been corrected.
Sheriff Cook noted the change but asked Beattie directly if he ran a red light, to which he admitted: “Yes.”
Beattie, who remains a taxi driver and intends to continue working for at least another six months, received a fine of £400, reduced from £600 for his early plea, and was given five penalty points on his licence, down from an initial seven.
The sheriff described the incident as a result of “inattention” but considered Beattie’s driving record when issuing the sentence.