Woman hit by taxi at airport

| 17/07/2017 | 59 Comments

Taxi involved in accident by airport Monday morning

(CNS): A female pedestrian was seriously injured this morning when she was mowed down by a taxi near to Andy’s Rent-a-Car and the long-term car park at the airport. Police said the woman was knocked down at around 10am Monday and she was rushed to the George Town hospital. RCIPS officers are in the process of notifying the woman’s relatives and the accident is now under investigation, police said.

The RCIPS have not said if the woman is a visitor to Cayman or a resident but it appears she was knocked down by the taxi as she attempted to cross the road. However, there is no indication that the driver fled the scene.

The incident comes just days after the police, the NRA and local Rotary clubs joined forces to launch a new road safety campaign urging drivers to think about other road users, including pedestrians.

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Comments (59)

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  1. Nick Ebanks says:

    Hi, not all taxi drivers drive crazy . I am a taxi driver and I have seen many driving crazy. Most are male drivers who speed and overtake to drop off passengers just to get back to the hotel before other taxis to make more than money. The money god is who they worship. I been driving 2 years now and have never made as much money as them. I been humble waiting on God almighty and he has come through for me as I recently made an offer by a company to make money. I am a Jamaican and have seen many nationalities driving wreckless in Cayman.

  2. Anonymous says:

    You can’t lump all taxi cab drivers into one category, but most certainly a large majority of them are not only dishonest but terrible drivers without any regard for anyone else.

    Just recently, a few months ago, we hired a driver to pick up some people from the airport and to bring them to a house that we rented for them in west bay. Along the way, the driver proceeded to tell them that they are staying in the “worst, most dangerous place on the island!” That they will most likely be “broken into, bound up and held hostage for money”. However, he was so very kind enough to offer his security services, for a fee, and stand guard outside the house for them. He then showed up at the house again, a few hours later, and asked them for “Canadian cigarettes”.

    I know this is not the norm, but how many times does this happen that we don’t hear about? A lot of the time, these taxis are the very first impression that someone will have of this little island and it’s sad to know greed takes priority over pride.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Uber, Lyft, and taxi meters. Now!

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Did the designers/Airport Authority consider an elevated covered walkway to the rental car center? Not that hard to think of… considering safety, traffic flow and weather.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    The lowest I have ever seen was a taxi overtaking traffic by entering the oncoming traffic lane in West Bay Road at Wendy’s. Not the middle turning lane, no, we can expect that level of dangerous selfishness from the taxi brigade. No he crossed the middle lane and went all the way across to the oncoming lane. Doing about 60. Another day in Absurdistan,

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  6. 6two7 says:

    Time for uber. Caymanians get jobs and people get service!

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    • AlanP says:

      Uber drivers are not professional drivers. They are careful, but I wouldn’t trust them. Especially females, they are not good Uber drivers, at least those I was riding with. They are easily distracted, have slower reaction etc. etc.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    All these complaints about taxi fares. I thought there was a dispatcher at the airport with published, fixed fees? Or is that stopped now?

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    • Anonymous says:

      They publish them, it doesn’t stop them from being exorbitant. Plus they’re “per person” and they put as many people as they can in each van. So a group of 5 going from the airport to the Ritz can be paying US$150+ for a 5 minute trip.

  8. Anonymous says:

    more round a bouts. We should have round a bouts every 50 feet to slow traffic down, instead of holding the drivers responsible.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You moron!! If the drivers aren’t responsible for their own actions who do you think should be then?? You can put as many roundabouts, sleeping policemen speed ramps, speed cameras anything you want. It’s the DRIVERS of these vehicles that cause accidents, generally by high speed, or using mobile phones whilst driving, or under the influence of drink or drugs.

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      • Anonymous says:

        sar·casm
        ˈsärˌkazəm/
        noun
        noun: sarcasm; plural noun: sarcasms

        the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
        “his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment”
        synonyms: derision, mockery, ridicule, scorn, sneering, scoffing; More

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Cayman has hands down the worst taxi drivers in the world. CI$25 to go 3 miles from the airport in a shared (so that’s $25 per person) beat up old van with no AC, Cayman talkback blaring homophobic religious nonsense the whole way, going 15mph with cars overtaking to get past, pulling in front of cars that have the right of way. And that was yesterday’s experience. I’ve had worse. Like when two of us were told it was CI$45 to go to west bay. Pretty steep but away we went. Got to our destination and suddenly that’s $45 per person! And they want a tip!! No wonder so many drink and drive here.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Very unfortunate I am numb and in disbelief The health service bemoans this horrific tragedy hope she pulls through .my prayers for both families

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  11. Luke says:

    Just to show the level of planning by the CIAA and NRA. With all the new development going on, you would think they would design the airport and parking to aid with a safe cross over to the car rentals and covered walk ways in the event of rain and night arrivals. We just keep throwing money away without any accountability by the consultants and the ministers in government. I hope this lady a speedy recovery and I hope she takes these entities through the courts.

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  12. Elvis says:

    It’s not they can’t drive it’s the fact they live and drive and eat on their phones, you hear me RCIP Service????

    PHONES. PHONES. PHONES! GET IT YET?

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  13. Anonymous says:

    I think they need to do driving test to be a taxi BECAUSE Of THIER BAD DRIVING!

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    • Anonymous says:

      You sound so ignorant, Cayman is full of bad drivers not only taxi drivers you daft shit

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    • Anonymous says:

      I cannot count on how many times a taxi is merging back from pulling over to the side of the road and never use their signal lights. Ever……..ever.

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  14. Caymanian Driver says:

    Not defending the taxi driver involved but not only taxi drivers are not mindful of pedestrians. I was at the airport recently sitting near the short term parking and I witnessed many drivers just speeding down the stretch by the long term parking.

    There is a pedestrian crossing with a light but I never saw one pedestrian press the button for the light to make cars aware that someone wanted to cross and that was at night!

    The assumption is that pedestrian felt that they had the right of way once they are on the cross-walk, can’t imagine what the taxi driver was doing that they did not see her at 10am in the morning!

    Hope the lady’s injuries are not life-threatening and a speedy recovery. Thankful it was not fatal.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Pedestrians do have the right of way. Just because a pedestrian does not engage a crossing light button ( which I doubt even works) does not give motor vehicles the right to drive recklessly.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I fail to see how a driver, taxi or not , can drive that section of the airport entry and not see a pedestrian, (whether on the crossing or not) attempting to cross pushing a large baggage trolley. The bus has unobstructed forward vision, the roadway is open with no obscuring impediments on either side. If a driver is at the prescribed speed limit in the area, there would be plenty of time to react and slow down to allow a pedestrian to cross safely. A very worrying occurrence , when one considers a mother could have been pushing a stroller with a young child instead of a baggage trolley. I wish the visitor and their family that she has a speedy recovery.

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    • Anonymous says:

      But a pedestrian DOES have the right of way once they are on the crosswalk! The only reason they have started putting lights is because all the idiot drivers that think they are the only ones using the road.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Nope not true. You cannot just step on to a crosswalk and expect the traffic to come to a screeching halt. You either have to wait until it is clear to cross or for vehicles to stop for you. Drivers are expected to stop when you are waiting at the crosswalk. Crosswalks with red lights are a different case and those with amber flashing lights are to make drivers aware the crossing is in use and they are to give way.

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    • Caymanian Driver says:

      Relax people. I was not implying that the pedestrian DID NOT have the right of way. I was just saying a pedestrian CORRECTLY assumes they have the right of way once they are on the cross walk.

      Nor was I implying that because the pedestrian did not press the light it was their fault or that the driver was not reckless, I was just saying the light helps make drivers aware that someone is there wanting to cross.

      The night I was there I saw a car parked illegally (I presume waiting for someone to arrive) in front of the pedestrian crossing so an oncoming car would not necessarily see the person immediately.

      Thought my statement that “can’t imagine what the taxi driver was doing that they did not see her at 10am in the morning!” was clear enough that he was at fault.

      It is very sad now because this woman has lost her life.

  15. Anon says:

    Taxi drivers in Cayman are a disgrace. Terrible dangerous driving and massively overpriced fares. I once had a cab from the airport to West Bay and it cost me 60 ci. The driver went way over speed limit and had the audacity to pick up a friend for a ride at the side of road. He then had a cheek after all that question me for not giving a tip. Disgusting

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  16. Sharkey says:

    I wonder when will Government make it mandatory that all operators of public transportation take special operational course to get License . We just had one charter accident and a Taxi accident . I have seen the need for it from time ago .

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Too many jamaicans driving taxi. They drive just like this in jamaica

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Taxi drivers believe they own the roads down here. They pull off and pull on the road with no care in the world, they need to learn and obey the rules set on the roads. It took them long enough to hit someone down walking on the road. All that’s left for them to do is cause a car accident and hurting the innocent persons on the bus and the other driver or drivers as well. The RCIPS need to pay close attention to those damn bus drivers cause they think they run the roads. I’m sick of how they act on the road and act like they don’t have a care in the world.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Thankfully the nice marl road people posted a picture of her lying face down on the ground for us all to see. That should go a long way to helping the situation.

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    • Anonymous says:

      If it weren’t for the “marl road”, many things would go unknown here, so excuse me if I don’t share your sentiments.

      On another note, this does sincerely highlight the real issue at hand. Taxi drivers and public bus drivers have no respect for anyone else on the road, whether it be a pedestrian or motorist.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Its a sad world we live in when peoples first reactions when tragedy strikes is to whip out their iPhone and film it rather than try to assist .

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Taxi’s down here think they own the road and they are the worst drivers around. So dangerous, they do not abide by the rules of the road whatsoever. they also pull over in the middle of the road as they please, and they do not care one bit whether they cause a traffic jam behind them.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Hey. I’m a taxi driver with a plate # 165 238. Any day u see me pulling over in the middle of the road and doing such as u say. Please stay with me and enforce me to personally give u my drivers license to report!! It’s so important that u all stop categorizing us all as one!!! I’m a 5th generation of Grand Cayman with which I was rewarded with more than just driving a taxi but decided to because of my love of my Island with history of being in the tourism industry from i was a school child. Maybe people like u should start appreciating us especially when we stay out all hours at night destroying our health and not being home with our families just to make an honest dollar at the same time keeping our roads safe from people who wish to party and also be able to have a cab available to get home and keep your friends and family safe if they’re on the road at that time.

      Hope u appreciate people like me from here on, and please do? If u see one of us driving like you say, I’m requesting that u follow them and get details because trust me we don’t need drivers out there like what you’re saying! !!! Thanks again. Caymankind !!!!

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      • Prerollzin the Rarri says:

        uber everywhere

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      • Anonymous says:

        I fear that if people on this island starting doing this (chasing down a driver to report them), that there’d be but a few of you left. If you’ve seen the size of the Cayman’s Worst Parking facebook group you’ll recognise that there’s lots of people who’d jump into action if they genuinely thought this would have an impact on that drivers job.

        It’s difficult not to tar you all with the same brush when I hardly ever see a taxi driver indicating or checking their mirrors before pulling out or even driving the speed limit. When you factor the absurd fees for a journey, your support dwindles further.

        You sound like a good honest hardworking person, perhaps you could step forward, be an advocate for change? Use this sad incident to make a difference, empower your fellow taxi drivers to do their job properly, perhaps even run a few driving courses so they’ll understand how to pull out of a junction correctly or indicate on a roundabout.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Sir, thank you for being very few of many that take safety over rushing to make an extra dollar. I know a cab driver named Richard of Ace taxi who has driven me around from 12 years old (I am now 32) who is one cab driver I respect to this day for fairness and hospitality.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I have followed and reported a ridiculous taxi driver. Traffic wasn’t moving fast enough for Elvis down the bypass so he overtook me and others on the shoulder while flipping us off on the way past.
        I followed him to the Westin where he parked in the shade and waited.
        I reported the entire thing live to CPS while it was happening and waited for 30 minutes at the Westin. Police never arrived and he continues to terrorize everyday.

      • Anonymous says:

        Do you also charge 3 times the fare for each person in the taxi?

      • Anonymous says:

        Were you driving your vehicle this morning on the by pass towards WB? Were you driving in the right hand (over taking lane) for a long time then suddenly decided you should be in the left hand lane (the correct lane for slower vehicles)? Was it you that didn’t use indicators & almost collided with me as I was in the inside lane, planning on turning left into the road by Fosters?

        If it wasn’t you please explain the rules of the road to your fellow taxi drivers.

        I am not going to risk an accident chasing you down or trying to pull you over to get your driving license to know for sure who doesn’t understand the Highway Code.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Speed bumps are needed around the airport. Too many drivers are in a rush and distracted around there.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    Something needs to be done about the standard of driving exhibited by the taxi drivers on this island! Considering they are “professional drivers” most of them don’t have a clue about the laws of the road!

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Taxis in cayman drive like mad people I’m surprised it took this long. I’m sure I can tell where this driver is from.

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    • Proud Caymanian says:

      I know the driver and he is a very respectable man and he is NOT one to drive like a mad person nor does he have a don’t care attitude. Quite the opposite, he is a very caring gentleman and from I’ve known him he has always been. He also drives very careful and within the speed limit. He is a God fearing gentleman. I am saddened to know that such an accident took place and my sympathy for both of the families go out and I do wish a speedy recovery to the lady. I also pray that God be very near to both of the families and to the lady.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Can somebody explain to me who this god is that everybody is so afraid of.

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      • Anon E. Mus says:

        well I am unsure what speed limit you were speaking of, no disrespect but the speed limit at the airport is 15 mph.

    • Anonymous says:

      where?

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    • Anonymous says:

      jamaica or canada

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