| Thousands of people across the nation take public | | | | ordered. |
| transportation every day. As a passenger, you should | | | | - If you called for a taxi, wait for the driver to |
| follow this safety advice when boarding a bus or a | | | | approach you. Do not approach a taxi that you think |
| taxi to increase your personal safety. | | | | is yours. |
| Road Safety Suggestions | | | | - Ask the driver the name and destination you have |
| - Be cognizant of traffic patterns and local road | | | | given the taxi company to see if he is your driver. |
| culture. | | | | Do not climb into a taxi you have not ordered. |
| - Avoid crowded taxi cabs. | | | | - If you must flag down a taxi, use one from an |
| - Be on the lookout for reckless driving such as | | | | established company. For this to occur, you must |
| speeding, apparent drowsiness, blatant disregard for | | | | have some advanced knowledge of the taxi |
| traffic control devices, and inattention to driving. | | | | companies in the area. |
| - If the driver drives irresponsibly, get out at the first | | | | - Before you climb into the taxi, ensure that the |
| safe opportunity | | | | driver agrees to take you to your destination. |
| - If you feel you are at risk, say something to the | | | | - When you climb into the taxi, note the company |
| driver! | | | | name, cab number, driver's name, taxi driver ID |
| - Avoid riding with other passengers who seem to be | | | | number, and photograph if possible. |
| inebriated or on medication, excessively tired, | | | | - Do not take rides from taxi drivers who randomly |
| irrational, or distracted. | | | | approach you. This is illegal on his part in many |
| - Ride only in taxi cabs with working seat belts in the | | | | jurisdictions and a safety issue for you as a |
| back seat. | | | | passenger. |
| - Avoid night time traveling, especially in country | | | | - Sit in the back seat. |
| areas. | | | | Information on Taxi Cab Fares |
| Physical Security Suggestions | | | | - If the driver tries to make a deal with you instead |
| - If you are not sure which taxi service companies | | | | of using the meter or claims his meter is broken, do |
| are reputable, ask for information at the information | | | | not use the taxi. The city's or state's taxi |
| desk, hotel front desk, shop cashier, restaurant | | | | enforcement commission requires that meters should |
| personnel, or even staff. They might also be helpful | | | | be operable at ALL times so as not to cheat the |
| with communication problems you may encounter. | | | | public. |
| Have a local write down your destination for the taxi | | | | - Ask a trusted friend, relative, or individual who has |
| driver to read. | | | | used the service before what the fare should be. |
| - Plan ahead of time how to get home before you | | | | - The key to successful negotiating is to ask the cab |
| leave. | | | | driver what the fare should be BEFORE you climb |
| - Take a business card of a reputable taxi service | | | | into a taxi. The moment you sit down, you are the |
| company and request a taxi when you need it. | | | | cab driver's next customer. |
| - Never travel alone. If possible, travel with some | | | | There are many taxi cab drivers who are honest |
| friends. | | | | about earning their wages, but just as every other |
| - Calling for a taxi is the safest way to travel | | | | profession, there are some bad apples. By heeding |
| especially during night. | | | | these safety tips for passengers, you can minimize |
| - Try not to let anybody know that you are ordering | | | | becoming a victim to the criminal tendencies of some |
| a taxi cab. If they hear your name and destination, | | | | unethical taxi cab drivers. |
| they may use that information to "steal" the taxi you | | | | |