Taron Egerton Caught Using Phone While Driving by Vigilante Cyclist
The 'Kingsman' star was filmed glancing at his mobile phone in traffic, prompting a report to police by activist Mike Van Erp.
Actor Taron Egerton was filmed using his mobile phone while driving in West London by activist cyclist Mike Van Erp, known online as CyclingMikey.
In footage uploaded this week, Egerton, 36, was seen in his blue Land Rover during slow traffic when he glanced at a mobile phone in his left hand. Van Erp, 50, approached the actor's window and questioned his use of the device. Egerton responded that he was "stuck in traffic," to which Van Erp stated, "That's not an excuse." The activist informed Egerton that he would be reporting the incident to the police.
Van Erp confirmed that he had reported the incident, which occurred last October on West Carriage Drive, Hyde Park, and that a Notice of Prosecution letter had been issued. It remains unclear if Egerton will face a fine or penalty points.
The Highway Code states that it is an offense to hold and use a phone or any other handheld device that can send and receive data while driving, even when stopped in traffic. Offenders can face up to six penalty points, a £200 fine, or, in more serious cases, a fine of up to £1,000 and a driving ban.
CyclingMikey has a history of filming celebrities for alleged Highway Code violations. Among those he has previously documented are director Guy Ritchie, who was banned from driving for six months in 2020 after being caught using his phone, and former boxer Chris Eubank, who received points and a fine for running a red light in 2021. Former footballer Frank Lampard was also filmed by Van Erp holding a phone while driving, but he escaped prosecution due to insufficient evidence.
Van Erp, who began his vigilante activities in 2006, stated his motivation stems from his father being killed by a drunk driver when he was 19. He claims to have caught over 2,000 offenders using his helmet-mounted camera.