Brake light fault leads Merseyside Police officer to arrest hackney cab driver on suspected drug-driving
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
A hackney carriage driver has been arrested on suspicion of drug-driving after Merseyside Police officers stopped the vehicle because of a defective brake light.
According to Merseyside Police’s Roads Policing Unit, officers initially stopped the taxi due to the lighting defect before carrying out further checks. After speaking with the driver, officers requested that they complete a roadside drugs wipe test.
The force said the roadside test returned a positive result for cannabis. In a statement, the Roads Policing Unit said: “This hackney cab was stopped due to a defective brake light. After speaking with the driver we requested they complete a roadside drugs wipe. This was positive for cannabis. Driver arrested.”
The incident serves as an example of how routine vehicle defect stops can lead to the detection of more serious suspected offences.
For taxi and private hire drivers, enforcement action involving alleged drink or drug-driving can also trigger a review by the relevant licensing authority, which may consider whether a driver remains a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
