Officers from Staffordshire Police experienced a moment of genuine surprise during a routine traffic stop in Featherstone last night, when they discovered a van with no one at the wheel. The incident unfolded on Saturday, February 7, after police observed the vehicle erratically bouncing off the nearside kerb along the A460 road.
An Unusual Discovery at the Scene
Upon pulling the van over, officers approached expecting to speak with the driver, but were met with an unexpected sight. Instead of finding someone in the driver's seat, they discovered two men both seated in the passenger area, as if sharing a taxi ride. The driver's seat remained completely vacant, prompting officers to later describe the situation as a bold strategy in their social media report.
Detainment and Investigation
With neither occupant initially willing to admit to being the driver, both men were detained at the scene for further questioning. Standard breath tests were administered and returned clear results, indicating no alcohol involvement. However, one of the men subsequently provided a positive test result for cannabis, leading to his immediate arrest on suspicion of drug driving.
It was only after several minutes in custody that the same individual suddenly remembered he was indeed the driver, solving the mystery and resulting in the release of his passenger. Further checks by police revealed additional complications – the newly-confessed driver possessed neither a valid driving licence nor appropriate insurance for the vehicle.
Police Commentary on the Incident
Staffordshire Police shared details of the unusual stop through their official social media channels, adopting a humorous tone while highlighting the serious nature of the offences. Their post noted that the vehicle had kindly drawn attention to itself through its erratic kerb-bouncing behaviour before the stop.
The police statement concluded with some wry advice for motorists: Top tip: If you're hiding from responsibility, maybe don't leave the driver's seat empty. It's a bit of a giveaway. The spokesperson confirmed that the driver now faces multiple charges relating to drug driving, driving without a licence, and operating a vehicle without valid insurance.
