Some reckless habits of cabbies (Forum letter)

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With more taxis on the road, competition for passengers sometimes leads to cabbies disregarding the highway code and committing traffic violations.

Some common violations include:

- Picking up and dropping off passengers at traffic light junctions, obstructing turning vehicles in the process;

- Making sudden stops without signalling, forcing motorists behind to jam on their brakes to avoid collisions;

- Making sudden swerves to pick up or drop off passengers; and

- Obstructing buses by stopping near bus stops.

Such inconsiderate and reckless habits pose danger not only to the cabbies and their passengers, but also to other road users.

Passengers are not free from blame either. They should flag down taxis at designated locations that do not cause inconvenience or endanger others.

The Land Transport Authority could publish guidelines for passengers on the dos and don'ts when taking a taxi.

It must also issue stern warnings and penalties to cabbies, and deploy more enforcement officers to nab the culprits.

Refresher courses every five years can be made compulsory for cabbies, and the National Taxi Association should include a module on the safe and correct way to pick up and drop off passengers.

A list of these rules can be displayed prominently in cabs.

Francis Cheng