According to a statement released by Merseyside Police, a private hire driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving following a collision in Huyton on New Year’s Eve (31 December 2025).
Police were called at around 9.05pm to Fincham Road after reports that a red Toyota Corolla private hire vehicle had collided with a parked van. As outlined by Merseyside Police, when the van’s owner approached the driver and attempted to remove the keys, the car was reversed into him, knocking him to the ground and causing a minor head injury. The vehicle then left the scene.
Officers later located the car on Mulgrave Street, where the driver was detained. A 41-year-old man from Toxteth was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, careless driving, and failing to stop after a collision. He has since been conditionally bailed while enquiries continue, as confirmed by Merseyside Police in their official release.
The force stated that the arrest forms part of its Winter of Action campaign, running from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, which includes increased enforcement against drink and drug driving across Merseyside.
DM News Commentary
From a taxi and private hire perspective, this is a deeply concerning incident. Private hire drivers are trusted with public safety, and any allegation of drink driving behind the wheel seriously damages confidence in the trade as a whole.
What also stands out here is the risk to members of the public — the van owner was injured while trying to prevent the situation from escalating further. Incidents like this place additional pressure on licensing authorities, who are already under scrutiny to tighten checks, suspensions, and enforcement within the private hire sector.
For the vast majority of drivers who operate responsibly, cases like this are frustrating, as they reinforce negative stereotypes and can lead to stricter conditions for everyone. Zero tolerance for drink driving isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s essential for protecting passengers, pedestrians, and the future reputation of the taxi and private hire industry.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you’d like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you.
While you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
