AN unlicensed driver who was operating an illegal taxi service has been detained after a dangerous chase on an elevated road.

Shanghai traffic police noticed the taxi had suspicious plates when patrolling the Middle Ring Road near Jinke Road in the Pudong New Area at 10am yesterday.

Police used a loudspeaker to ask the driver to stop but he tried to flee.

The driver, a 46-year-old man surnamed Wu, then lost control of the car near the off-ramp to Zhangyang Road and hit the railings of the elevated road.

Wu, who was not injured, was subdued by police.

He was not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

There were no passengers in the vehicle. An investigation is underway.