Court records stated the dismissed offence occurred on Banna Lane. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A female taxi driver who was fined by Griffith City Council for stopping on or near a pedestrian crossing on Banna Lane has had her charge dismissed in court.
Jan Tapu, 51, who is employed by veteran taxi man Charlie Bellato, copped the penalty at 12:22 pm on 16 January 2025 for stopping her cab when picking up a passenger.
According to NSW road rules, a driver must not stop on a pedestrian crossing or on the road within 20 metres before a crossing and 10 metres after a crossing. The penalty for doing so is a $410 fine and the loss of two demerit points.
At a court hearing on Wednesday, Ms Tapu’s lawyer Olivia Harris said there was a lack of signage informing drivers of the rules where the offence occurred. She said she did not agree with council’s claim that it was a very dangerous thing to do and highlighted her client’s generally good driving record.
Magistrate Pauline Wright was persuaded by her argument.
“It is clear it wasn’t a dangerous act but it had the potential to be dangerous,” she said.
Ms Tapu pled guilty to the charge and was found guilty, but did not receive a conviction as Magistrate Wright dismissed the matter. This means she will not have to pay the fine.
wow, where was this Bethany? View