Taxi Driver Online

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum and being a taxi driver. I will be starting my first ever job as a taxi driver in a week or so and I have some questions.

My main concern is my personal safety and crime. I have been considering the idea of investing in an in-car cctv system, but I don't really know where to purchase one, have been looking around but not found anything suitable as yet. Does anyone have any idea's, comments or suggestions for me regarding incar CCTV?

Also what about general safetly, I would appreciate any comments or suggestions which I might find of help.

Many thanks

EK.

Just to add, I will be working as Private Hire.

Having spent a number of years working private hire in Birmingham many years ago a couple of suggestions for your personal safety.

Two really useful 'self defense' items are;

A spray can of deoderant... makes you smell nice and really effective at giving you the upper hand when sprayed into the eyes of your assailant.

your fire extinquisher. You need to carry one by law so make sure it's a powder one and you keep it in the door compartment of your side of the car. Break the seal and if you need to fire it make sure you hold your breath and don't inhale.

Kept me safe for about three years working in nechalls, handsworth, lee bank etc, if you know birmingham then you know the areas I worked.

And don't be frightened to drive off without picking up your fare if you feel uneasy about it, and that includes females!


cctv wasn't around when I worked ph if it was I would have invested the £300 and considered it money well spent.


Kevin
http://www.monmouthtaxis.co.uk

As said above, but i've found PH dont get as much hassle as Hac's because your mainly picking up from an address so it's a little safer.

A 6 cell maglite is a handy weapon and you'll need a torch anyway. If you feel your fare is a bit dodgy (runner) stop along side a parked car or lampost until you have your money, always slip it into reverse when you stop, if they try to get out before paying let the car roll backwards, you cant get out of a car going back the door will stop you.
I have cctv and it's a great deterrent when the see the camera and have a couple of sign's so they can see.

a good 12v vcr with lp and remote control.
http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/videotv/video.htm

A good camera and east to fit
http://www.henrys.co.uk/cctv/bullet.htm

Good luck, remember if your unsure about your fare dont pick em up.
It's rare to get trouble in your car, most people are just grateful to get home safe.

A wise decision.

I think CCTV is a good thing if you are working nights. If you are working days only then it's up to you, but I wouldn't bother.

But a good rule is if a job looks or feels a tad iffy, then don't do it.

_________________
IDFIMH

As for weapons, well I'm not that much of a fan, but if you (and your family) feel you need some sort of defense, then do what's best for you.

_________________
IDFIMH

A good saying: "If there is any doubt, there is no doubt". Keep it in mind.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Thanks for the comments so far, keep them coming:)

Smiffyz, i looked at that vcr, seems like a nice cheap option for recording but perhaps you can answer a few questions, or anyone else who uses this.

In my own car I use a road angel compact, when plugged in and ignition on (engine off) it is powered, when I turn the key to start the engine power is cut to the road angel for a second and it restarts....

How do people get around this with the vcr? If i'm sitting waiting for next job and switch the engine off, don't want to have to get to the boot and start it recording every time i start the engine!!! Understand what I mean?

whats the best place for the VCR? in the boot or under a seat?or somewhere else?

Any suggestions on a hard drive based recorder for use in car? (not too expensive)

Also I looked at the camera you suggested, which would you think is better?? the colour or black and white?... the b/w one is min 0.5lux for illumination and the colour is 1.0 lux, would the colour one be suitable as was considering that one?

What about a personal attack alarm? like the ones women are encouraged to carry when out alone? the type that emmits a very loud alarm? Do you think it would be worth getting one?

Also on the issue of forged notes? how often do people get given a forged note? I've been down to see a chap at the bank and he took me through all the ways to detect a forgery, and even gave me a detector pen. I'm also considering buying a portable UV lamp, (£7.99 from my local electrical shop), do you feel that will be a wise choice to get?

To be honest I don't envisage too many problems in my area (portsmouth and surrounding) but just want to take every suitable precaution and deterrant to reduce the likelyhood of becoming the next statistic.

I did scan through the forums and found a post regarding sheilds, looked interesting but have several doubts...

a) expensive
b) don't look too great
c) a little extreme

on the other hand would do well to prevent an attack from the rear.

Think i'll leave that one for the time being and see how things go.

oh, one last thing, again regarding the CCTV, best place to buy neat little signs saying 'Audio and Video CCTV recording within this vehicle' or something to that effect?

oh one last last final thing (for now lol), Sat nav, I have purchased a tomtom one. where do people mount there's? I'm somewhat reluctant to mount it in the middle of the dash as in easy reach from passenger. just in my current car it's difficult to mount on the drivers side of the window due to the windows curvature. suggestions?

Again many thanks for all the help.


EK.

The pens are good, but if you are working as PH there will always be someone you can point the police to should you get a forged note.

That said, it's the feel of the paper that gives it away.

_________________
IDFIMH

which district of Baghdad are you going to be working in

first your road angel, all thats happening is all the battery resourses are being used to start up your motor, maybe you need a good charge up, sometimes I get this with the meter when the battery is low

The camera cctv needs to be black and white, colour don't work well at night

cctv sticker, make one with your pc, all you need to say is,, For the safety of the passengers this vehicle is fitted with cctv camera system.

keep all stuff well out of reach of passengers as some will [edited by admin] about with anything, funny isn't it, some people think that when they get in a taxi they think they can do what they like with the switches and controls, hey what about me coming to your house I say and [edited by admin] about with your central heating controls etc etc

I had one bloke pick up my mobile from the dash when it was ringing, he thought he was doing me a good turn by answering it whilst I drove

First of all mine's hard wired in so it only goes off when i switch it off (it has a power switch also on the main feed), It fit's in my glove box quite well and leaves enough room for other bit's.
My camera's colour and it still works well in the dark with the natural street lighting etc, also my interior lights are on a delay so it records everyone getting in and out, it's also fitted on my rear view mirror so i can swing it around facing front etc (handy for bumps,trouble and even
recording sound should you be stopped by the Police)
IR are also quite cheap maybe worth looking at.

Forgot to add, you can print off some sign's to stick on your dash and one facing rear so peeps in the back can read it.

You have to be careful though, some play up to the camera (women) and start messing, flashing etc.
Mine was used in court once and had no problem accepting it.it was a woman who overtook me and knocked a bloke off his bike, it was facing forward at the time.

Someone at work has a hard disc recorder but it cost about £600!!

try verifeye.com ive used there system for about 5 years now never had a problem with it. it uses triggers on the doors on the meter and on a panic button. you can set up the recording any way you want and just forget about it.records on to a flash memory and the pictures give a date and time stamp your reg and even gps position if on that type of data system. it fully pco reg and it stands up in any court as direct evidance because its encrypted.most bods who are going to give you trouble see warnings on windows (legal rule of data protection act) and walk away
hope this is some help

ps 100% tax rebate on this (sorry to scare some by saying the word tax)

sorry wrong site
[url]
www.verifeye.co.uk