Using cabs for traveling involves trusting someone else who is a total stranger with your safety and it is necessary to make sure that the taxi you are using is from a trusted company. Taxi vehicles are convenient to use since they offer round the clock services like the taxi cab Lakewood CO, they have professional drivers and they save time since you don’t waste your time looking for a means of transport. They find you exactly where you asked them to find you. However, not all taxi companies or drivers are perfect. The following safety tips come in handy when using cabs to travel.
Check for a radio, badge, meter and the door handle
All legit taxi vehicles are usually installed with a radio which is used for picking calls from the dispatcher and a meter for showing the charges. Every driver should also have a badge which confirms that the taxi is licensed and genuine. Checking whether the inner door handle is working before settling gives you confidence that the taxi you are using is genuine. Kidnappers use this technique (faulty door handles) in their filthy work.
Calling for a taxi you trust
It is safer to use a taxi you trust than hailing any taxi in the streets. When you call a taxi make sure you ask for the taxi number so that you can be certain you are using the right vehicle to avoid using scam vehicles where their goal is to steal something you are having that they spotted from afar. Make sure the vehicle’s number and the company’s name are visible on the taxi before you get in.
Don’t take a taxi alone when drunk
When drunk it is a wise idea to take a taxi home, but not alone. It is difficult to defend yourself from someone the driver calls or the driver himself in a state where you are helplessly drunk or semi-conscious. The driver may take such an opportunity to rob you or charge you unusually high amounts of cash.
Ride with your windows nearly closed or completely closed
This makes sure you are not an easy target for thieves who are very keen to take any opportunity that presents itself. When the taxi makes stops at various places thieves reach in or even open up doors to take your things. Making sure your door is locked is also something not to overlook. These may seem small things to look at but they help a lot.
Be sure of the price and the place you are going
You can check the place you are headed online and ask for the price from the dispatcher to avoid any inconvenience with the driver as you pay or if the driver is headed in the wrong direction. Drivers may know better routes but if you feel uncomfortable with the routes the driver is using, you can place your money in the front seat and leave.
Oh, and something else, you should never take a taxi that has someone else in the passenger’s seat. This industry has its challenges and it is, therefore, necessary to ensure you follow the above tips to avoid being a victim a thing you could have avoided.