OT. Taxi driver rage

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 09:31:15 +0100, "Simonb"
wrote:

Here's an idea: take down the details of any taxi driving dangerously and
report them (anonymously if necessary) to your local council regardless of
whether you are a passenger or not.

Sounds OK Simon.

Eight or nine years ago I phoned up a mini-cab company as I was more
than a bit worried about the driver who had just given me a lift to my
local. I thought he was drunk. I knew the owner of the taxi company -
I used that firm regularly at the time - so wasn't worried about
complaining about one of his men. (The drivers of that company are
self-employed, FWIW.)

It turned out that in the few minutes it had taken me to pay the
driver, buy a pint and make the phone call the driver had had a near
fatal accident.

I later found out that the driver was in the early stages of a stroke
when I was in the car and his condition had become far more serious
soon afterwards.

Of course, none of the above excuses the behaviour of the driver
mentioned by Peter B.

James

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 09:31:15 +0100, "Simonb"
wrote:

Here's an idea: take down the details of any taxi driving dangerously and
report them (anonymously if necessary) to your local council regardless of
whether you are a passenger or not.

Sounds OK Simon.

Eight or nine years ago I phoned up a mini-cab company as I was more
than a bit worried about the driver who had just given me a lift to my
local. I thought he was drunk. I knew the owner of the taxi company -
I used that firm regularly at the time - so wasn't worried about
complaining about one of his men. (The drivers of that company are
self-employed, FWIW.)

It turned out that in the few minutes it had taken me to pay the
driver, buy a pint and make the phone call the driver had had a near
fatal accident.

I later found out that the driver was in the early stages of a stroke
when I was in the car and his condition had become far more serious
soon afterwards.

Of course, none of the above excuses the behaviour of the driver
mentioned by Peter B.

James

I got a taxi in Edinburgh a few years ago that took the most complicated and
long winded route. I gave him a tip, I told him he should get a map.

A friend of mine took a taxi in Glasgow going home drunk from a
function. The taxi driver took a roundabout route. When told his tip
was on the meter he jumped out and headbutted my friend before driving
off.
Iain

I got a taxi in Edinburgh a few years ago that took the most complicated and
long winded route. I gave him a tip, I told him he should get a map.

A friend of mine took a taxi in Glasgow going home drunk from a
function. The taxi driver took a roundabout route. When told his tip
was on the meter he jumped out and headbutted my friend before driving
off.
Iain

Agreed, but I certainly have the street sense to not have a go at him. I'd
just say "drop me off here", and complain to the local council licencing
dept and his bosses *after* the event.

Which, in my personal experience, would get you nowhere.

Agreed, but I certainly have the street sense to not have a go at him. I'd
just say "drop me off here", and complain to the local council licencing
dept and his bosses *after* the event.

Which, in my personal experience, would get you nowhere.

Michael Green wrote:
Which, in my personal experience, would get you nowhere.

Well, that depends how far you've gone along your journey before you ask
the driver to stop.

d.

Michael Green wrote:
Which, in my personal experience, would get you nowhere.

Well, that depends how far you've gone along your journey before you ask
the driver to stop.

d.

chris harrison wrote in message ...
Simonb wrote:
Here's an idea: take down the details of any taxi driving dangerously and
report them (anonymously if necessary) to your local council regardless of
whether you are a passenger or not.

That works on London Black Cabs, if one cuts you up or whatever, shout
their number (it should be clear on the plate on the rear of the cab) at
them, repeat it a few times if necessary and threaten to report them.
They back off so fast it's funny. Because to a licensed cabbie it's not
funny. They only need a few unconnected complaints (even if they're not
upheld) over the course of a few years and things can get messy when
they renew their registration.

I complained to the PCO when a black cab drove through the bus only
gap in a width restriction as I cycled through the conventional gap,
indicating right, and cut me up. They professed themselves
uninterested in traffic offenses.

best wishes
james

chris harrison wrote in message ...
Simonb wrote:
Here's an idea: take down the details of any taxi driving dangerously and
report them (anonymously if necessary) to your local council regardless of
whether you are a passenger or not.

That works on London Black Cabs, if one cuts you up or whatever, shout
their number (it should be clear on the plate on the rear of the cab) at
them, repeat it a few times if necessary and threaten to report them.
They back off so fast it's funny. Because to a licensed cabbie it's not
funny. They only need a few unconnected complaints (even if they're not
upheld) over the course of a few years and things can get messy when
they renew their registration.

I complained to the PCO when a black cab drove through the bus only
gap in a width restriction as I cycled through the conventional gap,
indicating right, and cut me up. They professed themselves
uninterested in traffic offenses.

best wishes
james