Follow PHTM
Posted on the 20th July 2025 in PHTM News
LONDON CABBIE THREATENED WITH BLACKMAIL ON CAMERA FOR USING PHONE DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC
A viral TikTok shows a cyclist approaching the cabbie and reprimanding him for using his device while his Hackney Carriage was stationary on Shaftesbury Avenue in West End.
The cabbie can be seen with two phones, which were docked in mounts attached to the vehicle’s centre console.
"What do we have over here? Black cab texting while driving. Not one but two phones," the cyclist said while riding alongside the taxi on a Santander Cycle.
After the driver appeared to point to his devices on the docks, the cyclist replied: "It doesn't matter mate, we're doing transactions now, so how do we come to a solution, a conclusion."
As the pair travelled slowly down the street towards the Sondheim Theatre, the cyclist offered to delete the clip for cash, saying: "So, shall I just take you to court? Just give me a tenner and I'll let you be."
The driver then pulls over after the cyclist offered to delete the video for money but it is not clear if a transaction was made.
But the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, which represents black cab drivers in London, described the cyclist's actions as "yet another scam".
The union posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "The law permits touching a phone screen whilst the phone is in a fixed cradle in exactly the same way it is lawful to touch a fixed screen in a TXE or any other modern car! Tell the scammers to go forth and multiply.”
Steve McNamara, the LTDA’s general secretary, assumes the driver was making a call while stuck in traffic as “many rely on mobile phones to do business”.
Speaking to The Standard, Mr McNamara said the tactic used by the cyclist is becoming more common and warned those visiting the capital of “another scam”, alongside the likes of phone snatching and overpriced pedicabs.
Under current laws, drivers are permitted to use their phone for satellite navigation or swipe the screen for a call, provided it is secured in a cradle.
Guilty drivers face up to six points on their licence and a £200 fine, while Transport for London has a strict policy where drivers can have their licences revoked for using a phone while driving.
However, there is no specific law against using a phone while on a bicycle.
Read another story
- FUNDING AVAILABLE IN WEST SUFFOLK FOR CCTV PILOT SCHEME - PROTECTS PASSENGER & DRIVER SAFETY
It comes just weeks after the Casey report and the allegation that taxi/PH drivers were involved, so it's crucial measures are in place, to protect drivers and the industry, from serious allegations.
- TRANSPORT SECRETARY ANNOUNCES £650M ECG SCHEME WORTH UP TO £3,750 DISCOUNT PER CAR
Drivers will benefit from discounts as soon as manufacturers successfully apply for zero emission cars to be part of the grant scheme from 16 July, with funding available until the 2028/29 financial year.
- CCTV COULD BE MADE MANDATORY IN COVENTRY TAXIS AND PHVS AFTER TASK AND FINISH INVESTIGATION
Currently CCTV it is only on a voluntary basis, mandatory CCTV was considered before but it was not supported.
- FIVE YEARS' JAIL FOR CABBIE WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED TEENAGE GIRL HE PICKED UP IN BURNLEY
Wahid Riaz's young victim told a court in a harrowing statement she was sick at home after the attack and cried herself to sleep.
- VICTORY FOR CHORLEY CABBIES AS HIGH STREET RANK REOPENS ON TUESDAYS AFTER EIGHT YEARS
The win comes after campaigning by the Chorley Taxi Association, who pushed to reverse a 2017 decision that had handed over the bottom taxi rank to Tuesday market traders.
- REDUNDANCY TALKS UNDERWAY AT LEVC
It comes after the firm announced on July 9, that the workforce at its site in Ansty, Coventry is to be reduced by around 180 people.
- GRIDSERVE AND ADDISON LEE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE AIRPORT TRANSFERS AT GATWICK
GRIDSERVE's strategic charging location at London Gatwick’s South Terminal with 22 High Power chargers enables Addison Lee to optimise fleet management and reduce charging times.
- SHOCKING: PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER AMBUSHED BY GANG OF MEN WHILST WAITING FOR FARE IN ST HELENS
The victim, a private hire taxi driver in his 40s, was sitting in his black Citroen dispatch waiting for a fare, when he was approached by a young white man on a black and grey electric bike.
- LICENSED CABBIES ARE STILL BEING BEING CAUGHT SMOKING IN THEIR CABS
Freedom of Information requests were submitted to UK councils to find out which local authority issued the highest number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for smoking in a licensed taxi/ PHV
- BRADFORD PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER FINED FOR PLYING FOR HIRE
On 1July at Kirklees Magistrates Court, Mr Ghazanfar pleaded guilty and received a £291 fine, £420 court costs and his driving licence was endorsed with 8 penalty points.
- DORSET CABBIES URGED TO LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS OF PEOPLE BEING EXPLOITED BY GANGS
Dorset Police have confirmed they are working with taxi and private drivers and firms to help educate them on the possible signs of criminal gangs exploiting people to carry out their criminal activity.
- POLICE LAUNCH PROBE AFTER BIRMINGHAM CABBIE INJURED IN ROAD RAGE ALTERCATION
West Midlands Police were called to Bridge Road, at the junction with Anthony Road, in Alum Rock, at around 5.30pm, on Saturday, 5 July.
- SINGLE MUM LAUNCHES FEMALE ONLY PRIVATE HIRE FIRM IN LEEDS
After several bad experiences in cabs in Leeds, a single mum has launched the city’s first female-led taxi company.
- PORTSMOUTH COUNCILLOR GEORGE MADGWICK CALLS FOR MANDATORY CCTV IN ALL PHVS
He stated: "The car was Wolverhampton-plated — licensed miles away under weaker rules, with no CCTV inside to protect her or hold the driver accountable."
- NUMEROUS VEHICLES STOPPED IN JOINT OPERATION BY POLICE LIVERPOOL & WOLVERHAMPTON LICENSING
Nearly 100 defect or suspension notices were issued
- 14 BRADFORD PH FIRMS SOFT MERGE UNDER "LOCAL" BRAND TO COMPETE WITH RIDE HAIL GIANTS
In a strategic move to strengthen their market presence and improve service efficiency, fourteen private hire firms in Bradford have announced a soft merger under a new unified brand: LOCAL CARS
- SHOCKING NUMBER OF VEHICLES FAILING KIRKLEES COMPLIANCE TEST
A report to the recent meeting of Kirklees Council’s Licensing and Safety Committee provided an update on the work of the local authority’s licensing services.
- BRACKNELL TAXI DRIVER FINED AFTER OFFERING ILLEGAL RIDES IN READING
A private hire and hackney carriage driver licensed in Bracknell has been ordered to pay £750 by magistrates after Reading licensing officers caught him illegally plying for hire in the town centre.
- FROM BLACK CAB TO WHITE TAXI AMBULANCE NHS TRUST LAUNCHES GREENER PATIENT TRANSPORT
The iconic London black cab is taking on a new role, transporting patients to hospital appointments across the capital.
- WARNING OF MORE SPOT CHECKS IN NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME AS PHVS CAUGHT PLYING FOR HIRE
The operation carried out by Newcastle-under-Lyme BC licensing and Staffordshire Police in April found one vehicle in such poor condition it was immediately impounded for being unroadworthy.
