Other than traveling, I love watching movies and I bet you have seen at least one whose main storyline is tourists getting kidnapped, stolen from, et cetera while in a foreign country, right? ‘Taken’ comes to my mind and in yours? Well, this got me thinking of measures you and I could take to avoid getting ‘taken’ during our adventures amongst strangers in a distant land.
And thanks to some research and the hours I spend watching such movies I have come up with a list of both to do and not to do things you should try to ensure you get safe rides around. These are:
Look for a Taxi base
You know how you can easily tell a cab is a cab from the way they all look alike, park in the same area, and have a sign saying ‘taxi’? Well, in most countries it is the same so patiently look around till you find cars with these aspects as it is certain the drivers will be licensed and safe.
Check for contact information
Am sure you have noticed that most taxi companies advertise on the exterior of their cars so if the vehicle you spot doesn’t have any information on it don’t get in unless you have ascertained that all cabs in that country are just as plain.
At least have an idea of where you are headed
I know! I am equally terrible with directions but I’ve come to find understanding where you are first, makes it easier to navigate the compass in your head, that way you will know when the driver makes questionable turns like making a left when he is clearly supposed to have made a right.
Ensure the cab has door handles
I feel like I should have started with this one it is, after all, a scene in most of these movies we were talking about earlier, where the victim is locked at the back with no means of opening the door. We wouldn’t want that to be us would we now? especially considering this would be real and not a movie. So do check for door handles just in case.
Be extra keen when sharing a cab or just don’t share
Sharing is supposed to make you feel safer but can be a ploy to rip you off or overpower you. So how about spending an extra buck and riding solo.
I know doing all the above will help you not only feel safe but actually be safe. Happy travels.