How to stay safe using taxi

[Felicity]

My cousin just told me a horrifying story about a murder by online taxi driver and his 2 friends that hid in the back of the car. The victim was my cousin's friend, apparently. The way my cousin told the story was so detail that I can imagine how horrible it would be in real. Which leave me worrying about using online taxi. I use it every time I commute for work, as I don't have a car and I never think I need one (rarely go to office). Still don't want to buy a car because I won't use it much. Or is it the time to have a car? Do you have any practical tips? I only have pepper spray in my bag.

 

[Anglian]

When my wife takes an online cab, we always take the number plate and ensure the driver knows we have his plate number, my wife had a problem with a Blue Bird once, she reported it, but no response from Blue Bird, I think the chances of a problem aren’t very high, but you have to take care

 

[Scooterindo]

If its good pepper spray it will be more than adequate as protection however be careful using pepper spray in a confined space.

As for your cousin with all the gory details, was he there ?? so how does he know ?? He is just embellishing second hand information and to be honest I wouldn't pay it too much attention. Think like this, thousands and thousands of online taxi journeys are made everyday and what do you know about those ?? Nothing - because nothing unremarkable ever happens, so I wouldn't worry yourself unnecessarily about using online taxis.

 

[jstar]

Yep, you can't live your life in fear. Just make a screen shot of the car & driver confirmation and send it as a WA to a friend or family member even before you get in. And let them know the moment you arrived. Will take you 5 seconds. Also make sure there's no one in the back and that the back seat is fixed. Something related; I think a lot of women don't realize how vulnerable a guy is just before he would rape his victim. Don't be scared of that knife whatever and the moment he is exposed, grab (no pun intended) him where it hurts most, use nails and teeth....

 

[Felicity]

If its good pepper spray it will be more than adequate as protection however be careful using pepper spray in a confined space.

As for your cousin with all the gory details, was he there ?? so how does he know ?? He is just embellishing second hand information and to be honest I wouldn't pay it too much attention. Think like this, thousands and thousands of online taxi journeys are made everyday and what do you know about those ?? Nothing - because nothing unremarkable ever happens, so I wouldn't worry yourself unnecessarily about using online taxis.

Yeah I tried pepper spray inside my house and it was awful. So I'm not confident to use it inside a car. Therefore thinking about alternatives.

As for my cousin, she is a lawyer and relate to policemen when handling cases, so she got the details for them. Just a story telling among circles. And a little bit of investigations from there.

Thanks for all the tips btw.

 

[Anglian]

I bought a pepper spray and put it in the car, my daughter showed my wife how to use it, in the car, well trip canceled that day, I did tell them, but at Surabaya airport they sell or did sell Tazers, it was some time ago so I don’t know if they still do, but I bought a small one, I never tried it on anyone but I would think if you got one of those it would be very effective, fits in a hand bag nicely

 

[gemima]

My cousin just told me a horrifying story about a murder by online taxi driver and his 2 friends that hid in the back of the car. The victim was my cousin's friend, apparently. The way my cousin told the story was so detail that I can imagine how horrible it would be in real. Which leave me worrying about using online taxi. I use it every time I commute for work, as I don't have a car and I never think I need one (rarely go to office). Still don't want to buy a car because I won't use it much. Or is it the time to have a car? Do you have any practical tips? I only have pepper spray in my bag.

Was this the case where the perpetrators were twins in a Grab car? They borrowed the car from their uncle I think?
I cant find a proper link but this is the case I recall:
http://www.en.netralnews.com/news/c...ith.death.of.passenger.killed.by.grab.drivers

I don't have a car or driver and I am a single female using only taxis in Jakarta. I've never had an issue and I do take them at all times of day and night. I think there are so many journeys each day with no incidents that it is actually quite a safe form of transport - but of course these stories are scary to read about.
I'm careful to check that the driver is the person with the account (not some "friend") and that there isn't anyone else in the vehicle. Beyond that there isn't much else I can do but stay alert on the journey.

 

[harryopal1]

My wife knows of several women in Bandung who have been robbed in taxis. So while it may be like shark attacks where the likelihood of attack is actually very low nonetheless it does loom large in the minds of many women.

I do recall seeing (perhaps the museum in Kuching ) a palm held knife for women to deal with any potential rapist. But all things considered the snapped phone/ camera pic of the car number plate and face of the driver and then informing the driver that it has been sent seems a good way to go for any anxious passenger. Doing it with a smile might head off any objections.

 

[Jaime C]

I bought a pepper spray and put it in the car, my daughter showed my wife how to use it, in the car, well trip canceled that day, I did tell them, but at Surabaya airport they sell or did sell Tazers, it was some time ago so I don’t know if they still do, but I bought a small one, I never tried it on anyone but I would think if you got one of those it would be very effective, fits in a hand bag nicely

I’d be quite surprised if they were selling a Tazer. They are quite expensive, and the electrical leads it shoots out are pretty specialized. Perhaps a zapper of some sort?

 

[Anglian]

I’d be quite surprised if they were selling a Tazer. They are quite expensive, and the electrical leads it shoots out are pretty specialized. Perhaps a zapper of some sort?

Yes Jamie, I would think zapper is a better word, the one I bought wasn’t too expensive, I’m afraid I don’t recall the price as I bought it sometime ago, they had one about 12” long which was a torch and zapper, I suppose a cattle prodder is the same thing, I would think they are quite effective

 

[Leanmean]

When my wife takes an online cab, we always take the number plate and ensure the driver knows we have his plate number, my wife had a problem with a Blue Bird once, she reported it, but no response from Blue Bird, I think the chances of a problem aren’t very high, but you have to take care

That's a really good idea. I think I'll start doing the same.