Key risks.
Carrying money in the vehicle (and the public’s perception that the driver is carrying money).
Carrying mobile phones and other electronic devices in the vehicle. These can be targets for robbery.
Drunk or aggressive customers.
Certain higher risk geographical areas or trouble spots.
Working late at night or early in the morning.
Driver leaving the vehicle, for example in the case of non-payment of a fare.
Fatigue or tiredness, caused by continuous driving or long shifts.
Armed robberies, involving weapons such as knives, CS spray and syringes.
Racial and verbal abuse from customers.
Drunken passengers becoming aggressive and verbally abusive over fare disputes.
Physical attacks over fare disputes or refusal of entry to a vehicle.
Recommended measures.
Training and information.
Prevention is key. The key message to drivers is “do not put yourself in a situation where you might be at risk“. Training is more effective if done in an informal way.
Driving continuously. Drivers should not drive for longer than 2 hours without stopping. 15 minutes every 2 hours is recommended. Also see health and safety executive documentation.Be polite. Good customer service is essential. Make and maintain eye contact. Act in a non-confrontational manner. An aggressive situation can be inflamed by confrontational remarks or actions.Do not try to fight back if threatened. It is always the best course of action to seek professional assistance, call the police if necessary.Try not to leave the taxi cab. Drivers are safer in their own space where they can call for assistance if an incident occurs.Refuse a job if you feel unsafe.
Do not volunteer personal information to passengers. Drivers should not mention that they are finishing a shift or going home.Provision of advice. Advice is provided about known trouble spots, unsafe areas and safe rest places.Tiredness. Drivers should not drive when tired.Education and information sharing. The education of drivers and information sharing continues through trade magazines, newsletters and websites.Liaison with police. As a private hire operator, we wish to develop and maintain good links with local crime prevention officers. They can provide information and training to drivers and alert them of known potentially violent people and locations. Drivers should also inform the police about local incidents which they may witness as they drive around.Communication and camaraderie between drivers. Although most drivers are self-employed, there is a culture of open communication between them. They share information and advice about violence issues and help one another if an incident occurs or if a vehicle breaks down.Deadlocks. Activate deadlocks only in known violent areas.Avoid certain geographical locations. Avoid driving to or through known trouble spots.Account work. This is where companies or individuals set up an account with Radio Taxis. No physical money changes hands between customer and driver.Avoid dead-ends. Before dropping off a passenger, drivers are advised to park so that they can make a ‘quick getaway’ if needed.Global Positioning System (GPS). These can reduce driving times and in some cases allow a driver to concentrate more on hazards.Money ‘drop off’ points. These are being considered so that drivers can deposit fares during a shift.Decoy money bag. Store the real money elsewhere.Other possible measures.
CCTV. Install in the vehicle along with visible signs to act as a deterrent.Door handles. Modify door handles so they only open from the inside.Safety film. Use to cover glass windows.Lockable sliding screens. Fit these between the customer and driver. Ensure that openings in screens used for paying fares are not in a direct line with the driver’s head; this prevents attacks around the driver’s neck.Emergency fuel-stop button. Drivers can use this to simulate problems with the vehicle which makes it easier to get aggressive or troublesome passengers to leave the vehicle.Equip cabs with a radio. This enables drivers to maintain contact with other drivers and the control room and to request advice or assistance.Panic alarms. Fit these in vehicles and activate to alert other drivers. P.D.A. screens. Fit these for better communication. They display ‘regular’ messages from the control room about new jobs; information from police about potential troublemakers or incidents in the area; and sound an alert if there is an emergency call.The benefits.
Self-employed drivers who actively engage in violence prevention and management can continue to work and remain healthy and safe.
Preventive measures can increase drivers’ confidence, especially if they have been victims of violence or verbal abuse.
Knowing about the support network among other drivers makes individuals feel safer and more confident.
Having a positive and friendly attitude towards customers and a non-confrontational attitude does not cost anything.
Other non recommended measures.
Martial art training. With referral to case studies shown on the H.S.E. web site, a type of martial art self-defence training was tried. But drivers developed a false sense of security and acted more aggressively. It was therefore decided that non-confrontational techniques were more effective, posing less risk to personal safety.
Carrying of weapons. No weapons should be used or carried. These would include conventional knifes or clubs as well as the use of torches or coin bags