To suggest that taxi driving was anything other than a largely safe and hugely rewarding profession would be both unfair and untrue. However, as is the case in all industry areas there are of course unique safety guidelines to follow as a taxi driver in order to ensure risks are averted, dangers avoided and that the general course of business moves smoothly. Driving Camberley taxis is never going to be quite the same ‘vigorous’ affair as transporting people around Central Los Angeles, but it’s nonetheless important to look after your own interests.
Most such tips are of course common sense, but it’s nonetheless important to revisit them from time to time just to ensure that some of the more obvious examples aren’t being overlooked or taken for granted.
Awareness, Alertness
The most important skill to master as a taxi driver is that of essentially having eyes in the back of your head. It’s crucial to have a full understanding of what’s going on all around you at all times of the day and night. But while a good set of internal mirrors will certainly help, there’s nothing more important for alertness and awareness than good rest, regular sleep patterns and a generally healthy way of living. The worse shape you’re in, the worse equipped you’ll be to operate your taxi safely and keep tabs on your own wellbeing.
Care with Cash
In terms of looking after your financial interests, there’s a reason you’ll rarely see a taxi driver on duty with all manner of fine jewellery and fancy designer gear on. The more you flash your cash, the higher the chance there is of somebody untoward seeing it and deciding they’d like to take a sample of it for themselves. It’s a little akin to walking down any city street counting a wad of notes in your hands – far from a common sense idea and one that could see you ending up in trouble.
Go With Your Gut
Every now and again, you’ll come across a passenger or group thereof which for one reason or another just seem to come across as risky or dodgy. They may be drunk, they may be acting strangely or they may just give you that sinking feeling in your gut. No matter which of these it may be, it’s always better to go with your gut than to take a chance that’s not worth taking. Underestimating people in general or ignoring your gut instinct can land you in trouble for no good reason.
Be Social
There’s a good chance a fair few of the people you pick up really won’t want to have a chat with you, but it’s always better for them to be interpreted as the mean-spirited party, rather than you yourself. The more pleasant you are at all times, the less likely you are to rub anyone up the wrong way and end up getting on their bad side. In the same vein however, it’s also important to display a strong level of confidence and make it clear that it’s your taxi, your rules and your way of doing business.
Establish Fares in Advance
Even if the passengers don’t ask you how much the journey is likely to cost, it’s a good idea to tell them prior to setting off and making sure they accept it. The reason being that’s it’s all too easy for those wishing to do so to get to the other end, react with outrage and insist they’re being overcharged. By this point there’s of course very little you can do about it if they decide to kick off, so be sure to establish things in advance.
Beware Vague Instructions
One of the most immediate and obvious tell-tale signs of a passenger you really don’t want to be taking anywhere is a passenger that doesn’t seem to have a destination in mind. Some will say they’re just out for a drive, others will say head toward a specific area with no set drop-off and others will keep changing their minds along the way. When this is the case, you could be looking at someone trying to find a quiet area to take off with your cash, so don’t fall for it.
Learn Your City
Last but not least, the better you know the streets of the town or city you’re in, the better equipped you’ll be to deal with anything that comes your way. You’ll know where to go in an emergency, where to avoid if possible, how not to get stuck in traffic and generally how to do your job the very best you can.