DOUBLE TROUBLE: Woking taxi seized after driver found using phone and uninsured
- Perry Richardson
- 7 minutes ago
- 1 min read
A taxi was stopped in Woking after officers from Surrey Police’s Vanguard Road Safety Team saw the driver using a mobile phone at the wheel.
Surrey RoadSafe said checks showed the driver was not working a hire at the time and the vehicle was uninsured. The driver told officers he was “moving the car to a garage for a friend”. The car was seized at the roadside and the driver was reported for summons.
Using a hand-held phone while driving carries a £200 fixed penalty and six points. Driving without insurance can lead to a £300 fixed penalty and six points, vehicle seizure and a court appearance where higher penalties are possible.
Licensed taxi and private hire drivers face licensing repercussions for road traffic offences. Councils can review a driver’s fitness and propriety following police action.
Surrey RoadSafe continues to push its “Fatal 5” messaging and Drive Insured campaign. The Woking stop acts as a reminder that correct cover must be in place whenever a vehicle is driven on a public road, whether on or off shift.
Taxi and private hire policy requires hire and reward insurance when carrying passengers for payment. Drivers should also ensure their policy provides suitable social and domestic cover when the vehicle is not in use for hire.
Police say targeted checks of commercial vehicles and taxis will continue across the county to reduce collisions and unsafe driving
