Road Safety Council chairman Dr. Joseph Froncioni has called for higher penalties for bus and taxi operators caught drink driving.

Last week taxi driver Sheridan Michael Castle was given the standard penalty of $1,000 and banned from the road for a year by Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves.

Prosecutor Wayne Caines had argued that taxi drivers have a higher responsibility to not drink and drive but defence counsel Larry Mussenden successfully argued that the law doesn't make this distinction.

Dr. Froncioni said he did not want to comment on individual cases. But he added: "In general I feel that people in public service such as bus and taxi drivers have a special responsibility, they are being paid, that service definitely includes safe transportation. "It's unsafe for anyone to drink and drive. It's irresponsible for anyone who is a public driver to drink and drive.

"It's not just about getting from point A to point B, it's about doing it safely. One assumes operators will abide by the rules of the road." He said he did not want to say what the penalties should be changed to. "I am not a lawyer."