TAXI AND PHV DRIVERS WARNED: Passenger demands won’t save you from zigzag fines and 3 points on your licence
- Perry Richardson
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers face increasing scrutiny over illegal stopping at pedestrian crossings, with police warning there is no legal defence for dropping off or picking up passengers on zigzag road markings, regardless of customer requests.
Swindon Police recently reiterated the message in a public warning, stating: “It is a criminal offence to stop for any duration on zigzag road markings. They exist to protect pedestrians.”
The force also stressed that the law applies equally to all motorists, “including taxi drivers”.
For licensed drivers, the pressure often comes from passengers asking to be dropped as close as possible to their destination, particularly outside schools, railway stations, shops and busy town centres. However, police say customer convenience does not override road traffic law.
Addressing passengers directly, Swindon Police said: “Don’t ask your driver to stop on the zigzags. While it is always the driver’s responsibility to follow the law, pressuring them to break it for your own small convenience is unfair.”
The legal responsibility remains with the person behind the wheel. Drivers who stop on zigzag markings can face prosecution, penalty points and a fine. In addition, licensed taxi and private hire drivers risk attracting the attention of their licensing authority, with traffic offences potentially considered when assessing whether a driver remains a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
Swindon Police also issued a direct warning to the trade, saying: “Taxi drivers, find a safe, suitable and legal place to drop off passengers. Blaming your passengers for telling you to stop illegally is not a legal defence.”
The advice reflects a wider message regularly promoted by police forces across the UK as part of efforts to improve pedestrian safety around crossings.
