How to possibly address reckless driving of taxis

[Crowley]

Nothing can be done. When I encounter them, I assume they are going to try to cut me off, slam on the brakes for no reason, overtake and then dawdle etc etc. I normally smile and let them in with a wave. They are often so astounded and grateful that it makes my day.

I also smile while I block them from driving in the emergency lane. Makes my day as well.

 

[AstroTurf]

The only way to reign them in is to crush the offending taxi after x many violations. Throw in a strict roadworthy and emissions test and 95% of them would be in the queue for crushing tomorrow.

Realistically though there is no solution. Incompetent governance has gotten South Africa in to this situation and there is no hope of that changing in any of our lifetimes.

There is a simple realistic solution.
Make it illegal for drivers to be paid by customer, Taxi drivers must be paid by the hour.

Incentive to break the law should not be legal.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I also smile while I block them from driving in the emergency lane. Makes my day as well.

Thats my tactic.... usually gets them hopping mad in their vehicles, but its amazing how many people around me end up with a smile while I'm doing that... definitely makes my day.

Even had a taxi "conductor" glaring at me this morning on the way to work after I hooted at the taxi for cutting across 3 lanes in the traffic.

 

[GhostSixFour]

Something similar to this might be a good start.

[video=youtube;BHJxIwvFIGY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHJxIwvFIGY[/video]

 

[SauRoNZA]

Every single morning, taxis driving along the N2 in Cape Town nearly kill me - driving 120km/h in an 80km/h zone and weaving from far-right to far-left.

This afternoon I happened upon a lone taxi tootling along the centre lane at 100km/h in a 120km/h zone, and revenge was mine ... I pulled that favourite taxi trick of zooming up at speed behind the taxi and then darting into another lane at the last possible instant.

Do I feel bad about that? Not a chance

I blame the government for that.

Why on earth did they go and put the Bus lane on the right hand side? It makes no sense.

That being said I lane split the bus lane on my way to work and so far I trust the Taxis more than any regular car. They are very motorcycle aware and make gaps for me all the time. I've not once had a problem where a taxi was blocking my way through ignorance.

 

[Electric]

IPTS was the governments reward to the taxis for their amazing driving.
Now the IPTS buses sit and the taxis have a free lane to use without a single traffic officer caring.

 

[AstroTurf]

Something similar to this might be a good start.

[video=youtube;BHJxIwvFIGY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHJxIwvFIGY[/video]

Just realised I spent about an hour watching these

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

Just realised I spent about an hour watching these

Who do you guys think is capable of making those easy peel-off stickers? (Text on sticker: "I don't care for anyone else, I drive where I please.")

 

[Aghori]

In 2009 I smashed into a taxi from behind that suddenly decided a passenger wanted to alight, in the middle of the highway on the centre lane. Justice was mine, my wakizashi and a nice hefty Remington made the driver beg to pay for damages.

 

[Electric]

Who do you guys think is capable of making those easy peel-off stickers? (Text on sticker: "I don't care for anyone else, I drive where I please.")

Those are paper stickers, the cheap kind that stick like a bitch but rip when removed.

 

[GhostSixFour]

Those are the best kind of stickers for something like this, they're the cheap kind and stick like a bitch but rip when removed.

FTFY.

 

[Electric]

FTFY.

OK? So you changed it to say just what I was saying?

 

[FNfal]

In 2009 I smashed into a taxi from behind that suddenly decided a passenger wanted to alight, in the middle of the highway on the centre lane. Justice was mine, my wakizashi and a nice hefty Remington made the driver beg to pay for damages.

You are bad

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

Those are paper stickers, the cheap kind that stick like a bitch but rip when removed.

I know, any idea who would print/make those? The fast peel-off and the sticking like a bitch is appealing.

 

[Electric]

I know, any idea who would print/make those? The fast peel-off and the sticking like a bitch is appealing.

Yeh, go to a print shop and ask what size paper peel-offs they stock.
Or you could try a signage place but they generally only sell vinyl which is not what you want here.

 

[Chris14]

Try to get a pic of the driver in the Taxi Vehicle and post it on facebook.

 

[AntiGanda]

The European solution is licences linked to insurance. Too many points on the license = find a new job.

The other solution we tried in the 70's and 80's in Cape Town is to have traffic police patrolling our roads. It's been a year since I actually saw one in Main Road.

Every taxi journey I've made the driver committed 5 or six violations. They are truly a lawless species.

 

[LCBXX]

The only deterrent is the fear of persecution or repercussion. Taxi drivers do what they do because they know you cannot stop them all. I like the sticker idea. Pity that the cops will arrest you for vandalism, if violence doesn't break out before that.

 

[d7e7r7]

The only deterrent is the fear of persecution or repercussion. Taxi drivers do what they do because they know you cannot stop them all. I like the sticker idea. Pity that the cops will arrest you for vandalism, if violence doesn't break out before that.

You mean if you don't get shot by a driver or gaatjie before that...

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

You mean if you don't get shot by a driver or gaatjie before that...

That's the biggest problem - you would have to slap that sticker on and then run away very,very,very fast.