The Taxi Insurer research reveals passengers admit to risky and disruptive behaviour in taxis as festive demand peaks
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
New research commissioned by insurance broker The Taxi Insurer indicates that UK taxi drivers are likely to face a sharp rise in disruptive and occasionally dangerous passenger behaviour over the Christmas and New Year period.
The findings come as forty-two per cent of respondents say they expect to take more taxi journeys during the festive season.
David Sweeney, head of taxi broking at The Taxi Insurer, said the increased demand will lift earnings for drivers but also heighten exposure to incidents that complicate their working environment. He pointed to a pattern of seasonal behaviour that places added pressure on driver safety, vehicle cleanliness and operational continuity.
Sweeney said: “With our research also finding that two-fifths (42%) of respondents confirmed they will take more taxi journeys over the Christmas and New Year period, drivers are likely to be busier than usual for the next few weeks.
New survey highlights climbing seasonal passenger misconduct as drivers brace for a busier December.
“Although that’s good news for them financially, the flip side is they’ll be faced with a higher chance of questionable behaviour from some of their passengers – as our research shows.”
The study highlights that sixteen per cent of passengers admit to secretly drinking alcohol during a trip, with thirteen per cent confessing to vomiting in a vehicle. Drivers operating late-night shifts during Christmas trading typically experience a rise in alcohol-related incidents, and insurers often report increased claims linked to vehicle soiling, passenger illness and related downtime.
More concerning for operators is the ten per cent of passengers who say they have attempted to exit a moving vehicle. A similar proportion report undressing or changing clothes mid-journey. While such cases remain a minority, they underscore the unpredictable situations professional drivers must manage, particularly during peak social periods.
Taxi operators also face a range of requests and conversations that can blur professional boundaries. Nineteen per cent of passengers acknowledge seeking personal advice from their driver, while eleven per cent say they have asked to follow another vehicle or pedestrian. Ten per cent admit to arguing with their driver, and nine per cent confess to lying about their destination. These behaviours can extend journey times, raise safeguarding considerations and affect risk assessments for drivers working alone.
The survey also draws attention to lost property. Fourteen per cent of respondents say they have left a mobile phone behind in a taxi, a recurring operational issue that requires administrative time for recovery, increases contact with passengers after journeys and, in some cases, creates disputes over responsibility and handling.
Sweeney urged passengers to be mindful of the pressures on the industry during the busiest period of the year. He noted that while drivers support peak demand and provide an essential service, seasonal misconduct continues to shape risk profiles for insurers and fleet operators.
