Devon & Cornwall Police are warning people not to use illegal taxi services after a night out.
There has been an increase of people advertising cheap lifts home on social media.
“People are getting into non-licensed vehicles, potentially risking their safety” said Superintendent Keith Perkin.
“They may as well climb into a strangers car, not knowing anything about the driver. They don’t know whether the driver can drive legally, with no idea whether they have been drinking and how much. And, in the event of an accident they will not be protected by insurance. Not only that, the person is making themselves extremely vulnerable.”
“Social media sites make the practice attractive to people who want to save a few pennies, but they are putting themselves at risk and in the long run, it could cost them a lot more” added Supt Perkin.
Registered taxis go through stringent tests to ensure they are safe to carry people on board and their vehicles are regularly checked for safety.
Taxis should be booked directly with the taxi company via phone, online or in person to ensure the driver is licensed and insured.
Charging people for taxi services when not licensed to do so is illegal and local authorities are looking into any reports received.
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