Drunk cabbie jailed after speedy trial

A taxi driver in Larnaca was sentenced to 15 days in prison and had his licence suspended by a judge who found him guilty of reckless driving and driving under the influence.

According to police, a Larnaca district judge sentenced a local 49-year-old taxi driver to 15 days behind bars on Wednesday, just one day after the man was involved in a multiple car crash.

On Tuesday night, the man driving his taxi around 11pm slammed into another vehicle driven by a 26-year-old man, who was waiting at a red light. Following the impact, the second car moved forward and rear ended a police vehicle.

The cab driver was arrested on the spot after being suspected of driving under the influence. Police officers had administered a Breathalyzer test which detected alcohol in his breath many times over the limit. A final reading was said to be 123 micrograms over the 0.22μg limit.

He was found guilty Wednesday on traffic violation charges including reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition to jail time, the judge also suspended the cabbie's professional licence for three months.

Law enforcement officials were given new instructions this month in an effort to clamp down on offensive drivers who drink and drive, violate speed limits, and cause road accidents.