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Private hire driver reported after allegedly playing GUITAR while driving Tesla at 60mph on M25 with weighted steering wheel
A private hire driver has been reported for driving without due care and attention after police received a 999 call alleging he was playing a guitar while driving a Tesla on the M25.
Surrey Roads Policing said the vehicle was reported travelling at 60mph in the Reigate area when the alleged behaviour was brought to the attention of officers.
After stopping the Tesla, officers said they discovered the vehicle’s interior camera, used to check driver attention, had been covered.
Police also reported finding a weighted device fitted to the steering wheel. According to Surrey Roads Policing, the device was being used to make the vehicle believe the driver was holding the wheel.
The driver was subsequently reported to court for driving without due care and attention. No details have been provided about when the case is expected to be heard or the potential court proceedings that will follow.
Police also established that the motorist was working as a private hire driver. His licensing authority has been informed of the incident, according to the Surrey Roads Policing statement.
The referral to the licensing authority could bring separate scrutiny of the driver’s private hire licence alongside any court proceedings.
The police statement did not identify which licensing authority issued the driver’s licence or state whether any licensing action had subsequently been taken.
Surrey Roads Policing did not identify the driver or provide further information about the journey, including whether a private hire passenger was inside the Tesla at the time.
A Surrey RoadSafe spokesperson said: “Police received a 999 call about the driver of this Tesla - the driver was reported to be playing a guitar whilst driving on the M25 at 60mph in the Reigate area!
“When stopped, officers found the driver had covered the interior camera which checks driver attention and he had used a weighted device in the steering wheel to make the car think the driver was holding the wheel!?
“The driver has been reported to court for driving without due care and attention.
“His licencing authority has also been informed as he is a Private Hire driver.”
