When you are traveling away from home or live in a big city, you may not have your own car to get you from one place to the next. Taxis are a convenient and efficient way to get you to your destination when you can’t walk or drive yourself. However, getting in the car with a stranger can be intimidating, especially if you are traveling alone. While most taxis are completely safe, there are still a few safety tips that are important to know before you take your next taxi ride.
A huge tip is to remember to always use a licensed taxi. Make sure to be familiar with what official taxis in your area look like, and check if the taxi is legally registered if you have any doubts. Taxis around an airport should be registered in order to operate there, but within a big city there are plenty of unofficial taxis to be aware of. An unlicensed taxi will often demand more money than what’s necessary and just isn’t the best option for safety reasons.
A second tip is don’t display your cash to the driver. While most taxis today should accept digital payment methods, a lot of taxis prefer cash. It is important to carry around some of the local currency in case of this situation. However, if a driver sees that you have a lot of cash on you, they may try and scam you and ask for more than their original offer. Wait until the driver gives you a final price to then take out only what is needed.
One final tip to use when entering a taxi is to always sit in the back seat. While it may seem obvious to do so, there are several safety reasons that verify why it is important to sit in the back of the car. Sitting in the back leaves more room between you and the driver which allows less chance for inappropriate contact. It also gives you two opportunities to escape the vehicle if needed with both doors available. Finally, it allows you to keep an eye on your driver without having to make it obvious. Sitting in the front seat makes it difficult to pay attention to the driver without making it uncomfortable.
The next time you take a taxi, remember these tips to help you have a safer experience. Additionally, having the Viola app downloaded on your phone gives you the safety of knowing there is a volunteer ready to talk to you during your ride from one place to the next.
Article by Valerie Hudson