Taxi driver locking doors?

samina · 27-12-2011 9:28am #1

Are taxi drivers allowed to lock the door when the passenger gets in? For no reason just automatically when a passenger gets in. It's quite intimidating for a woman on her own possibly a man too.

LEIN · 27-12-2011 9:41am

I cant see a problem with it.

Its very easy for one to unlock if needed.

Terrontress · 27-12-2011 9:47am

A lot of cars lock automatically once the car drives off to prevent carjacking.

It also happens automatically and very loudly on London taxis with an accompanying LED.

I wouldn't worry about it.

KERSPLAT! · 27-12-2011 9:49am

I can see why it could be intimidating but the taxi driver is probably doing it for your/his safety, as in to stop anyone else entering the car.

I don't do it myself but the GF locks the car as soon as she gets in, day or night, and not just when she's alone in the car

samina · 27-12-2011 9:57am

I didn't know some cars locked automatically. True it easy to open, unless the child lock is on, but the initial click intimidates me if I'm honest.

samina · 27-12-2011 10:00am

Yeah ipam I do it myself at night but not if I have the kids in the car because I figure in case of an accident it's easier to get the kids out. I think I watch too much tv

Losty Dublin · 27-12-2011 10:49am

When I was driving, I used to always lock the doors at night in and around the city centre to stop the masses entering my car with passengers on board. I learnt I had to do it after my first ever night driving.

dowlingm · 27-12-2011 7:03pm

In fairness when James Bond got in a car and the doors locked automatically it was never a good sign...

27-12-2011 7:08pm

samina wrote: »

I didn't know some cars locked automatically. True it easy to open, unless the child lock is on, but the initial click intimidates me if I'm honest.

Yep my car locks the doors once it goes over 5mph, and its a 1998 car, so its been around a good while.

L1011 · 27-12-2011 7:18pm

The LTI taxis that are common in the UK lock when the taxi is moving and unlock again below a very low speed; this provides safety against a drunken passenger falling out of a moving car but doesn't stop the drunken potential passengers trying to get in as Losty mentioned...

Mrs OBumble · 28-12-2011 2:37pm

samina wrote: »

I didn't know some cars locked automatically. True it easy to open, unless the child lock is on, but the initial click intimidates me if I'm honest.

I'm like IPAM's gf who "locks the car as soon as she gets in, day or night, and not just when she's alone in the car" .... so I find the click in a taxi reassuring.

Heisenberg1 · 31-12-2011 2:02am

Mrs Luzon got a Taxi home tonight with a black Taxi driver the second she got in the car he locked the doors without warning.

Through out the journey he was talking on the hands free kit very random to some person.

She rang me in tears very scared.

I'm sure it was innocent but if he would have just informed her of locking the doors she would have been ok.

And the cost was a joke 30 euro to Dun Laoghaire from the city centre.

L1011 · 31-12-2011 2:36am

luzon wrote: »

And the cost was a joke 30 euro to Dun Laoghaire from the city centre.

Its a metered journey. If you think the cost was inaccurate, report it to the NTA. She did ask for a receipt, right?

Losty Dublin · 31-12-2011 11:13am

luzon wrote: »

Mrs Luzon got a Taxi home tonight with a black Taxi driver the second she got in the car he locked the doors without warning.

Through out the journey he was talking on the hands free kit very random to some person.

She rang me in tears very scared.

I'm sure it was innocent but if he would have just informed her of locking the doors she would have been ok.

Something which was said to me a lot by passengers over the years and I have seen it myself is how a lot of non national drivers continue with phone conversations whilst carrying passengers in the car. It's downright rude and it's bad customer service but don't waste your time reporting it as you will simply be told that it's a matter for the Gardaí, it being a road traffic offence :mad:

The locking the door bit was discussed on another thread here; it's often done with good intentions.

luzon wrote: »

And the cost was a joke 30 euro to Dun Laoghaire from the city centre.

Whereabouts in the city centre to whereabouts in Dun Laoghaire, can I ask?

LEIN · 31-12-2011 11:17am

I have left a cab due to a phone conversation that was not ended. I am paying good money and do no wish to hear jibber jabber on my trip.

KERSPLAT! · 31-12-2011 11:20am

Why report a taxi driver using a handsfree kit to the Gardai??

Losty Dublin · 31-12-2011 11:29am

IPAM wrote: »

Why report a taxi driver using a handsfree kit to the Gardai??

That's what you are told by the Office of Taxi Regulation if it's not something that they deal with as the Gardaí are out there to uphold the law, investigate crime, road traffic and careless driving etc etc. I know hands free kits are fine BTW, just saying how it is

KERSPLAT! · 31-12-2011 11:34am

My point was, why report the driver to anyone when it's legal to use a handsfree kit, wha exactly are you reporting?

Losty Dublin · 31-12-2011 11:40am

IPAM wrote: »

My point was, why report the driver to anyone when it's legal to use a handsfree kit, wha exactly are you reporting?

It's the nuisance that it causes a passenger.

howiya · 31-12-2011 12:36pm

IPAM wrote: »

My point was, why report the driver to anyone when it's legal to use a handsfree kit, wha exactly are you reporting?

bad service

mickydoomsux · 31-12-2011 12:43pm

howiya wrote: »

bad service

Really?

You'd report bad service to the Gardai?

"Officer, me chips were cold in Supermacs and they took ages with me burger! Do something!"

Freaking out because a taxi driver is on the phone is slightly irrational.

parsi · 31-12-2011 1:07pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

luzon wrote: »

Mrs Luzon got a Taxi home tonight with a black Taxi driver the second she got in the car he locked the doors without warning.

Through out the journey he was talking on the hands free kit very random to some person.

She rang me in tears very scared.

I'm sure it was innocent but if he would have just informed her of locking the doors she would have been ok.

Something which was said to me a lot by passengers over the years and I have seen it myself is how a lot of non national drivers continue with phone conversations whilst carrying passengers in the car. It's downright rude and it's bad customer service but don't waste your time reporting it as you will simply be told that it's a matter for the Gardaí, it being a road traffic offence :mad:

The locking the door bit was discussed on another thread here; it's often done with good intentions.

luzon wrote: »

And the cost was a joke 30 euro to Dun Laoghaire from the city centre.

Whereabouts in the city centre to whereabouts in Dun Laoghaire, can I ask?

Plenty of non-non-national drivers do it as well.

howiya · 31-12-2011 1:56pm

mickydoomsux wrote: »

Really?

You'd report bad service to the Gardai?

"Officer, me chips were cold in Supermacs and they took ages with me burger! Do something!"

Freaking out because a taxi driver is on the phone is slightly irrational.

You seem to be missing the point of the conversation entirely so i'll fill you in. Nowhere did I mention reporting a driver to the gardai for bad service. If you report the taxi driver to the taxi regulator for providing a bad service and the item you are reporting is that he was engaged in conversation with someone else for the duration of the journey, the regulator will tell you that it is a matter for the Gardai as using a mobile is a road traffic offence (despite the driver being on a handsfree kit)

Losty Dublin · 31-12-2011 4:25pm

parsi wrote: »

Plenty of non-non-national drivers do it as well.

Fair point though in my experience and that of others it is less so the case. Let's not fight about it till tomorrow

mikemac1 · 31-12-2011 4:57pm

parsi wrote: »

Plenty of non-non-national drivers do it as well.

True

But they don't tend to shout

What's with the aggressive tone and shouting many of these non nationals have? I wonder if they even realize they are coming across as aggressive

Anyway, if they're on the phone luzon just tell them to hang up and they will

subway · 31-12-2011 5:02pm

Terrontress wrote: »

A lot of cars lock automatically once the car drives off to prevent carjacking..

you woud usually be "carjacked" when the car is stopped, they dont usually jump in if the car is moving

Anyone got carjacking figures for ireland?

KERSPLAT! · 31-12-2011 5:07pm

subway wrote: »

you woud usually be "carjacked" when the car is stopped, they dont usually jump in if the car is moving
Anyone got carjacking figures for ireland?

Smart lad :rolleyes:

my car locks when I take off and stay lock till I open manually, it doesn't open everytime I slow down, I'd imagine most cars that auto lock are the same.

There might not be much carjacking in Ireland but better safe than sorry

subway · 31-12-2011 5:39pm

Whats with the :rolleyes: son?
The 2 cars ive had it on, unlocked when you slow down.

Fuinseog · 31-12-2011 5:39pm

it seems to be usual to drive around Dublin with locked doors. in some areas a druggie could burst in on you otherwise. thats how taxi drivers have explained it to me when i gave them a concerned look.

scotty1 · 31-12-2011 5:43pm

Damo9090 wrote: »

I cant see a problem with it.

Its very easy for one to unlock if needed

scotty1 · 31-12-2011 5:52pm

Damo9090 wrote: »

I cant see a problem with it.

Its very easy for one to unlock if needed

In the event of a car accident I would reckon it to be dangerous to have doors locked .

parsi · 31-12-2011 6:47pm

mikemac1 wrote: »

parsi wrote: »

Plenty of non-non-national drivers do it as well.

True

But they don't tend to shout

What's with the aggressive tone and shouting many of these non nationals have? I wonder if they even realize they are coming across as aggressive

Anyway, if they're on the phone luzon just tell them to hang up and they will

Have you ever heard a Cork lad get het-up ? They'd give anybody a run for their money in the aggressive sounding stakes.

parsi · 31-12-2011 6:49pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

parsi wrote: »

Plenty of non-non-national drivers do it as well.

Fair point though in my experience and that of others it is less so the case. Let's not fight about it till tomorrow

No, let's fight here and now - I'll see you outside in 5 mins. Start away without me if I'm delayed.

rebel.ranter · 31-12-2011 6:53pm

scotty1 wrote: »

Damo9090 wrote: »

I cant see a problem with it.

Its very easy for one to unlock if needed

In the event of a car accident I would reckon it to be dangerous to have doors locked .

In the event of an accident the doors will automatically unlock if any of the airbags are triggered & possibly other trigger mechanisms.

LLU · 31-12-2011 7:07pm

IPAM wrote: »

My point was, why report the driver to anyone when it's legal to use a handsfree kit, wha exactly are you reporting?

If I remember correctly, there should a charter displayed in the taxi which contains items like 'you are entitled to... a receipt... quiet and courteous transport to your destination..., etc' or somesuch. (The same charter also sets out the reciprocal in that the passenger should be respectful, not damage the taxi, etc.) So it does sound like the taxi driver was not fulfilling this part.

John_Rambo · 02-01-2012 11:39pm

Fuinseog wrote: »

it seems to be usual to drive around Dublin with locked doors. in some areas a druggie could burst in on you otherwise. thats how taxi drivers have explained it to me when i gave them a concerned look.

Very sensational, druggies bursting in to the car.

A lot of cars are programmed to lock up once the car hits a certain speed. I'm not a taxi driver, but both my cars do it (Swede and French), but they can be deprogrammed easily. Believe it or not (Fuinseog known for his attitude to Dublin and Dublin taxis) both cars do it in Sligo, Cork, Belfast, Kerry, France and England!!

Taxi drivers that don't have the auto lock systems will lock up to stop drunk revelers from opening the doors at traffic lights not realising the taxi light is off and there the car is engaged.

Polar101 · 03-01-2012 12:52am

If a taxi driver is annoying you with his phone conversation, why not ask him to put the phone down? Sounds easier than calling the gardai at least.

Fuinseog · 03-01-2012 8:49am

John_Rambo wrote: »

Very sensational, druggies bursting in to the car. A lot of cars are programmed to lock up once the car hits a certain speed. I'm not a taxi driver, but both my cars do it (Swede and French), but they can be deprogrammed easily. Believe it or not (Fuinseog known for his attitude to Dublin and Dublin taxis) both cars do it in Sligo, Cork, Belfast, Kerry, France and England!!

Taxi drivers that don't have the auto lock systems will lock up to stop drunk revelers from opening the doors at traffic lights not realising the taxi light is off and there the car is engaged.

you seem to have chips on your shoulder. I was told to lock the door by Dubliners, including my Dublin driving instructor, who has a more realistic image of Dublin than you do.
I notice that some people lock their door driving through certain areas, which they do not regard as safe. when in Rome..... . This does not seem to be an issue in rural Ireland, though I always lock the door regardless of where I am as it ensure that I have closed the door properly

Realtine · 03-01-2012 9:15am

John_Rambo wrote: »

Very sensational, druggies bursting in to the car.

Happens!! About three months ago a female friend of mine was stopped at the lights on Rialto bridge at about 8.30pm coming from St.James hospital, car unlocked, bag on front seat, while she was stopped, in the blink of an eye passenger door was opened and bag stolen, thief ran off, left door opened, all she could do was pull in, jump out of car to close door very quickly, she didn't hang about but did report it - no joy with recovering tho.
But ever since I've gotten into the habit of locking car doors as soon as I get in to car.

(I know the stupid thing here is the bag on the front seat but we still do it)

Fuinseog · 03-01-2012 9:19am

MYOB wrote: »

Its a metered journey. If you think the cost was inaccurate, report it to the NTA. She did ask for a receipt, right?

on the subject of receipts are they supposed to give you a printed one or can they give you a handwritten one?

Fuinseog · 03-01-2012 9:25am

mikemac1 wrote: »

True

But they don't tend to shout

What's with the aggressive tone and shouting many of these non nationals have? I wonder if they even realize they are coming across as aggressive

Anyway, if they're on the phone luzon just tell them to hang up and they will

it their natural way of speaking and they probably do not consider themselves aggressive.
people get freaked out if they are on the phone cos they do not understand and irritated if they have their music turned up loud cos they want peace and quiet.

johnam · 03-01-2012 9:43am

scotty1 wrote: »

Damo9090 wrote: »

I cant see a problem with it.

Its very easy for one to unlock if needed

In the event of a car accident I would reckon it to be dangerous to have doors locked .

In my car if I lock the doors, they unlock if the handle is pulled twice. The other doors remain locked, but all can be opened independently in this manner. I would suggest it is probably the same in a lot of cars, and so don't see the problem with a taxi driver locking the door.

Spook_ie · 03-01-2012 5:16pm

Think you need to be differentiating between central locking and dead locking.

Dead locking is a security lock that prevents someone breaking a window and then opening the door, most central locking could probably be modded to activate on a speed basis

Mrs OBumble · 03-01-2012 7:50pm

mikemac1 wrote: »

What's with the aggressive tone and shouting many of these non nationals have? I wonder if they even realize they are coming across as aggressive

And what's with the passive-aggressive tone of many of these Irish nationals? I wonder if they even realise how aggravated they sound when they're sounding off out of earshot of the offending party, and then how pathetic they sound when given the opportunity to say something face to face.

Fuinseog · 03-01-2012 9:45pm

JustMary wrote: »

And what's with the passive-aggressive tone of many of these Irish nationals? I wonder if they even realise how aggravated they sound when they're sounding off out of earshot of the offending party, and then how pathetic they sound when given the opportunity to say something face to face.

it depends on who the passenger is. A female will put up with more BS than a male. an aggravated taxi driver would be more careful with another male as they would be less likely to entertain it

L1011 · 03-01-2012 10:14pm

Fuinseog wrote: »

on the subject of receipts are they supposed to give you a printed one or can they give you a handwritten one?

Printer is compulsory equipment.

miller50841 · 07-01-2012 1:08am

scotty1 wrote: »

Damo9090 wrote: »

I cant see a problem with it.

Its very easy for one to unlock if needed

In the event of a car accident I would reckon it to be dangerous to have doors locked .

Most cars these days when in a crash the doors auto open and unless under water would still be easy to open. If the case car goes into water this can cause all sorts of malfunctions. Know off point but if go into water open doors or window straight away because pressure may stop you opening

Taxi driver locking doors?

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