Taxis

[JSCJL]

On my way back from work, was on the extreme left lane when a taxi, a sonata from the opposite direction wanted to turn right, inch in all the way till the middle lane. Not happy, I stopped in front of his taxi.

 

He put down the window and started shouting why stop and block him for what. I got angry and decided to remove my jacket and helmet (I'm a uniformed officer btw).

 

Then he apologized and say that his pick up was too fast, cannot control. Like WTF! So I ask him to stop one side and I called for TP.

 

Are taxi drivers given such powerful taxis to run faster and clock in more passengers, cause more accidents, deaths and reckless driving? Where are the speed limit meters for taxis these days?

 

Should we put up a partition to limit taxi speed just as they do for buses?

 

If their speed shouldn't be limited, why?

[thfc74]

You know what, that is a very good point. And it got me thinking, when i was a kid, I took cab rides with my parents and the cabs then all had this speed warning device that either beeped or chimed to warn the cabbie to slow down. i think it limited their speed to 80 km/h if i remember correctly. Now I don't know when that regulation was removed but I'm all for it to be brought back again. Now I'm really curious as to what the current rationale is for not having that SWD installed in our cabs. The authorities could set it at the max legal speed limit for our roads.

[shong]

now still have the "ding~~~" sound in the old cab i think. new cab got show warning on their touch screen. no use. they jus ignore and go faster

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Have rode in taxis that drove above 120kph on the highways - but admit it such events are more fun than dangerous. After all, it's an empty road he's speeding on.

 

But the way taxis (and other less civilised drivers) ply the roads with no regard for safety of motorcyclists is something else altogether. I have had cabs attempt to force me out of lane just because they think bikes should inhabit the little space between cars forever, and others that tailgate as close as 50cm away from my rear bumper... when I was in the slowest lane, signaling left, and limping to the nearest mototiam with a flat tyre.

 

It's as though they want you to go faster to cause catastrophic loss of control and you die.

 

That's not to say all cab drivers are murderous villians - I actually owe most of my riding/driving skill to them, but there are some who ruin the whole public image of the taxi industry.

 

Despite these negative thoughts I still ride with a "give way to taxis" mentality because they are carrying 'precious cargo' for a living. Have to imagine what it looks like from the taxi's point of view sometimes.

 

Months later, I'm very surprised when I signal to pass or make a lane change and notice a taxi uncle giving way to the little motorcycle, returning the favour. Really brightens your day!

Edited March 5, 2010 by Pandora's Kitten :3

[JSCJL]

If the passengers are complaining that it's noisy with that dinging thing then all the more they as the passengers should note that the taxi driver is driving TOO fast! What kind of message is the traffic police trying to send out by removing it? Just because people complain?

 

Complains against road safety. Which is more important?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Complains against road safety. Which is more important?

 

Unfortunately these days it seems to be "whomever bigger mouth wins argument".

[shellshox]

Bro, since u in police why not bring it up to the TP people, its easier than us complain cos u already in the inside. U got more power mah.....

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

It's not as easy as that

 

These days, the Police Force is kind of very hesitant to interfere in the affairs of private persons esp in domestic affairs.

 

A bit OT but I had a LOT of trouble convincing my local NPP to intervene in a possibly violent household situation 2 weekends ago. I replied them - you want me to talk to 995 in 10 mins, or your NPP now?

[aRcHeR]

time to dig out the old NPCC uniform..

[mojo4d]

many fatal motorcycle accidents do involved taxis...I think is time the authorities step in to help

[PBbombomlee]

Cyclists generally don't like taxi's as well.

 

From my POV, taxi's just cannot spare that 5 seconds.

 

I had many close brushes with cabbies before.. and that sucked so bad.

[Exu]

encounter with taxi drivers? i've just had one as well 3 days back on good friday..

 

I fetched my gf home on friday and parked by bike by the side in front of a few other bikes... i ceased my engine and together with my gf, we went to my box to collect her stuff.. suddenly, i felt an impact and a loud bang.. i lifted up my head only to see a taxi crashing into my front with his bumper.. i was like WTF!

BTW i'm riding a red fazer even though it was like 11pm, it's still pretty obvious that it's a bike.. he came out from his taxi and from his look i knew he was trying to push the blame to me.. but given my vast experience with accident claims i knew i will have to be louder to outspeak him...

Until today, he's still trying to push the blame to me, even though i'm not in his way when the accident happened.. nonetheless i've spoken to my insurance company and they said that as long as my bike is parked stationary, the advantage will be on my side..

[SlowButSteady Bro]

All Sonatas,Mercs,Skodas have turbodiesel equipped which had a monstrous torque of nearly 320NM just for a 2.0 taxis which is more than good for SG stop n go.Top speed like sotong.Their 150kmh feel like 135kmh on a NA petrol car.But again this is SG whoever had the pick up and mid torque they're king.Sometime it just the driver purposely floor the accelerator that's all.I've ever borrowed my friend's Skyline which is almost the double of that torque figure then why i can control?Twin turbo somemore compared to Taxis low pressure turbo.

[Maxbg12]

I hate taxi driver so much...

[aRcHeR]

insight from a taxi driver whom i spoke to while taking a cab:

 

LTA are putting a stop for more Sonata from coming to Singapore, diesel powered that is.

 

reason being: high accident rates as well as speeding..

 

how true, i have no idea.. but definitely a good sign..

[SlowButSteady Bro]

insight from a taxi driver whom i spoke to while taking a cab:

 

LTA are putting a stop for more Sonata from coming to Singapore, diesel powered that is.

 

reason being: high accident rates as well as speeding..

 

how true, i have no idea.. but definitely a good sign..

 

Horses mouth,From last time i heard.First they say wanna stop Merc cause same reason also,But till now got so many especially SMRT ones.All speeding like crazy @ Changi Airport like their father own it.The only way to prevent more mishaps happen is LTA/ROV to stop taxi companies from buying turbo diesel,Just give them normal diesel powered taxi below 2.4cc is enough if Singapore Govt want images.Not only the egoistic cabbies do harm to bikers some to the extend of bullying car drivers especially those NA Cars below 1.8cc.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

There is definitely big improvement in taxi drivers' road courtesy recently.

 

Not sure if it's related to the above but it's a refreshing change to see cabs waving at me to proceed first in front of them, wait for me to accelerate ahead before cutting into the filter lane, etc.

 

In any case I do let cab drivers have the right of way by default since they're making a living to ferry people from A - B in the fastest time possible.

 

I learned to drive and ride from watching cab drivers, after all Not for the speeding bit but how to efficiently change lanes, etc.

[Fried Rice]

i do have my fair share of bad experience with taxis too.

 

but to be fair, probably taxi drivers earn a living with their license, hence they are more reckless. of cos that does not give them the right to be reckless. but they spend more hours on the road than anyone else, so they are more likely to be involved in such stuff.

 

having said that, some taxi drivers spend 12 hours or more on the road trying to earn a living for their family, i am sure if you have to spend 12 hours on the road everyday like them you would be more reckless too. especially if your family is counting on you. but of cos, this not give them the right to be reckless. but maybe this could create more understanding from us.

 

i have met good taxi drivers too.

[Dafanshu]

they are bunch of b@5tard who ignore other road users life. hope they are out of job and family members suffer from hunger

[triloza]

just had a nearly-accident with taxis, dann close..

 

Was riding at orchard rd heading towards plaza sing there. right before the Istana, SilverCab, which i tink is Sonata, just swing his car out from de lane on my right. sometimes i do wonder weter they reali gt check beore they wan to change lane, or they are just confident people will stop and giv way for dem. cos i was travelling at arnd 70++km/hr and he was stuck on de next right lane, and want to come to my lane. he just swing his car out. Im like WTF!! luckily, i braked hard and manage to swing my bike outwards.

Then I slowed down and gave him gestures and the finger. I wanted to stop and confront him cos his car was behind me. den he switch lane all the way to the right lane.. ********...

[Dafanshu]

they think that they are king of the road since they are 12 hrs on the road.

[Cracked]

Some of the cabs have 3000cc turbocharged engine? why? why? why? to encourage speeding?

[0401897D]

to make the taxi ride "high class" and "comfortable" to the tourist..its all bout image...

[yokokazunori]

to make the taxi ride "high class" and "comfortable" to the tourist..its all bout image...

 

image to harm more road users?

[slackspark]

to make the taxi ride "high class" and "comfortable" to the tourist..its all bout image...

 

might as well they use lambo or ferrari as a taxi..hehe

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