Terrible SMRT Taxi Driver - SHB 5968 U

[Alechi]

At least the reply informed that a formal record of warning was lodged. Totally agree on the part on taxis getting more and more powerful nowadays. A big cc taxi for the comfort of passengers should not mean excessively powerful taxis. Taxi companies are putting road terrors on Singapore roads. The LTA regulators should do something PROACTIVELY.

[Jman888]

will the taxi company bother? i dont think so as there are tons of these complaints anyway.

 

Their main concern is whether taxi lao pay their rental promptly.

 

 

btw, NVNT.....

 

 

if they have many driver on waiting list, at least more of these complaints can take out the bad one on the road.

[Razer_Blaze]

What is wrong with taxi drivers nowadays? Terrible, terrible, terrible !

So fed-up I sent the following complaint to SMRT. Wait till I get my in-car video camera and next time when such incidents happen again, I will send the video recordings straight to the Traffic Police.

 

 

Glad to hear that everyone was alright. I hope SMRT will take action to ensure that their drivers take road safety seriously.

[Knoobie]

lately I see lots of these taxi drivers driving news cars like Chevrolet and Renault act like they own the roads.

Not just these... Sonata also the culprit..

 

whereas, i noticed mercs and chrysler are usually road hoggers...

 

BTW, I always remember my driving instructor told me that to always beware of people turning in lane 1 jumps into lane 2..

 

That is why you see many people turn from lane 2 goes into lane 3..

 

Small problem lah..

 

Yesterday I almost got crushed by a female driving lorry never check blindspot also never post the picture or video..

Edited October 14, 2013 by Knoobie

[Aventador]

There are so many Bad Drivers out there

 

everyday I see cars when turning, will turn into what ever lane they wish to based on where they want to go.

 

So right turn can end up on the left most lane, even on a 3 lane road

 

Many are just bad drivers with no road manners

[Alechi]

I don't think we should just depend on roving enforcement officers. Their numbers will always be limited. The responsible motoring community must play its role. Those with clear videos, send it to TP. They now accept such videos so long as certain simple criteria are met. If we do that, over time, no terror drivers will take it for granted they can escape their irresponsibility.

[Baal]

Defensive diving is the key. I learnt that a long time back when I started on 2 wheels. I personally usually give way when I can to cabbies because

 

1) They drive 12 hrs a day. ( as per the article, driving is the new smoking....makes one mentally less than ideal )

2) When they make mistakes, either get blared by other private cars or if take less ideal route, complained by customer.
3) 12hrs a day, min 5 days $2k net.

4) Based on age requirement, they're probably people who "got left behind". Retrenched PME, business failed....etc. If they were successful after coming out from NSF 22yrs to 30 yrs, they would have probably stayed on with their job & not be a cabby.
5) In a dog eat dog environment with their peers.

While it does not justify their inconsiderate driving, it should help mitigate to some extent. On this note, consider how many private luxury car drivers get arrested for drink driving & how many drive talking with phone hand held. I see the latter every other day. In terms of road courtesy, private car drivers should also csd, how they would drive if they increase their time spent in a cage from 2 hrs a day to 12hrs. Agree that Cab companies must ensure that their drivers must constantly be scheduled for defensive driving refreshers as in corp SG ( and not cut their pay in the process). Even LTA is now trying to implement basic pay for heavy veh drivers rather than per trip. Maybe they should also csd the same for cabbies along the same line & criteria set. Remove the cause, the effect disappears. just like don't drive to drink & u wont drink & drive.

[Mysportwish]

hope he got his due punishment

[Fcw75]

Defensive diving is the key. I learnt that a long time back when I started on 2 wheels. I personally usually give way when I can to cabbies because

 

1) They drive 12 hrs a day. ( as per the article, driving is the new smoking....makes one mentally less than ideal )

2) When they make mistakes, either get blared by other private cars or if take less ideal route, complained by customer.

3) 12hrs a day, min 5 days $2k net.

4) Based on age requirement, they're probably people who "got left behind". Retrenched PME, business failed....etc. If they were successful after coming out from NSF 22yrs to 30 yrs, they would have probably stayed on with their job & not be a cabby.

5) In a dog eat dog environment with their peers.

 

While it does not justify their inconsiderate driving, it should help mitigate to some extent. On this note, consider how many private luxury car drivers get arrested for drink driving & how many drive talking with phone hand held. I see the latter every other day. In terms of road courtesy, private car drivers should also csd, how they would drive if they increase their time spent in a cage from 2 hrs a day to 12hrs. Agree that Cab companies must ensure that their drivers must constantly be scheduled for defensive driving refreshers as in corp SG ( and not cut their pay in the process). Even LTA is now trying to implement basic pay for heavy veh drivers rather than per trip. Maybe they should also csd the same for cabbies along the same line & criteria set. Remove the cause, the effect disappears. just like don't drive to drink & u wont drink & drive.

 

 

 

 

To put it simply, there's no smoke without fire.

 

If they do not drive like shit, why is there so many complains abt them?

[Jman888]

Defensive diving is the key. I learnt that a long time back when I started on 2 wheels. I personally usually give way when I can to cabbies because

 

1) They drive 12 hrs a day. ( as per the article, driving is the new smoking....makes one mentally less than ideal )

2) When they make mistakes, either get blared by other private cars or if take less ideal route, complained by customer.

3) 12hrs a day, min 5 days $2k net.

4) Based on age requirement, they're probably people who "got left behind". Retrenched PME, business failed....etc. If they were successful after coming out from NSF 22yrs to 30 yrs, they would have probably stayed on with their job & not be a cabby.

5) In a dog eat dog environment with their peers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

if he apologies instead of pointing middle finger, i dun think TS would write in the complain

 

the recent studies also show some of the driver rather choose the time to drive that suit them and they won't drive for long hour when they 'hit' their target. Many apply for taxi but use the car for other purposes

[Aventador]

I personally usually give way when I can to cabbies because

 

1) They drive 12 hrs a day. ( as per the article, driving is the new smoking....makes one mentally less than ideal )

2) When they make mistakes, either get blared by other private cars or if take less ideal route, complained by customer.

3) 12hrs a day, min 5 days $2k net.

4) Based on age requirement, they're probably people who "got left behind". Retrenched PME, business failed....etc. If they were successful after coming out from NSF 22yrs to 30 yrs, they would have probably stayed on with their job & not be a cabby.

5) In a dog eat dog environment with their peers.

 

While it does not justify their inconsiderate driving, it should help mitigate to some extent.

 

your post gives me something to reflect on. Everything you say I know it already, but reading it makes me think once again.

 

must empathize more..

[Jellandross]

this is all about defensive driving, which is typically lacking in drivers who tend to find themselves getting into near-misses on a frequent basis. a sensible way to drive is to minimize driving side-by-side with other cars. you either be in front or behind the cars next to you, unless there's no other way. same for turning, you can either be in front or behind the cars beside you so that their action and mistake will less likely impact you. i can observe and improve the way i drive to ensure my own safety, or keep driving the same way, keep blaming others, and keep getting into the same kind of trouble on the road.

[Baal]

Theres no denying that their driving needs lotsa improvement. Classic example.......Taxi suddenly stop to take fare result in car behind jam brake. If cab don't do that, he loses the fare (mouths to feed?) to another cab behind. So rather than horn the cabby till horn tears, keep safe distance.

 

Or, Taxi suddenly stop for cust to alight. If he accede to cust demand, the car behind blast horn. He don't, cab's cust complain poor service. Either way kana complain. In this case, natural that cabby will choose to offend the car behind rather than the cust.

 

Indeed there are the relak cabbies, but imo, those that we are concern about are the 12hr shift then handover to next driver. The relak type the style I understand is that they work split shift ( with naps in between ) & don't share cab. And quite a number come from cultures/groups that prioritise work life balance over $$.

Agree that shoud not turn side by side. Best either be front or back so as to have allowance.

But seriously, I think the majority drive under "hard driving/striving" conditions. And they are locally born & bled after all. Hope the community could cut them some slack. But efforts to instill safety in them must continue. With their spurs stuck so deeply in their hide, cant 100% blame them for their irate, grumpy, depressed deposition.

Also as a private car driver, any one of us could be next...

[Jman888]

Theres no denying that their driving needs lotsa improvement. Classic example.......Taxi suddenly stop to take fare result in car behind jam brake. If cab don't do that, he loses the fare (mouths to feed?) to another cab behind. So rather than horn the cabby till horn tears, keep safe distance.

 

Or, Taxi suddenly stop for cust to alight. If he accede to cust demand, the car behind blast horn. He don't, cab's cust complain poor service. Either way kana complain. In this case, natural that cabby will choose to offend the car behind rather than the cust.

 

Indeed there are the relak cabbies, but imo, those that we are concern about are the 12hr shift then handover to next driver. The relak type the style I understand is that they work split shift ( with naps in between ) & don't share cab. And quite a number come from cultures/groups that prioritise work life balance over $$.

 

Agree that shoud not turn side by side. Best either be front or back so as to have allowance.

But seriously, I think the majority drive under "hard driving/striving" conditions. And they are locally born & bled after all. Hope the community could cut them some slack. But efforts to instill safety in them must continue. With their spurs stuck so deeply in their hide, cant 100% blame them for their irate, grumpy, depressed deposition.

 

Also as a private car driver, any one of us could be next...

 

 

 

 

 

no one is denying of defensive driving, just talking about the middle finger

[Baal]

takes 2 to tango. I am not saying its fine, but we should csd the circumstances. 1st degree murder, manslaughter, culpable homicide. The courts of public opinion almost always place them on 1st degree charges.

[Raymondism]

Taxi drivers are indeed the most horrible lot, most of the time. I had felt this way many years ago, and maintain it now. It also doesn't help that most of the taxis nowadays are very powerful and the drivers would feel that they can get away with reckless driving.

 

Three months ago i had a bad experience with a Citycab, and sent in a complaint. Here's the reply from them. I'm not sure if they were serious in what they said in the reply, though.

 

 

Dear Mr _ _ _

 

REPORT LODGED AGAINST DRIVER OF TAXI NO. SHC737xx

 

I refer to your complaint lodged on 10 July 2013 regarding the driver of the above-mentioned taxi.

 

We are deeply sorry about the unpleasant incident that you have had with our taxi driver.

 

Our drivers are expected to practice safe driving at all times when plying the roads. We will not hesitate to take stern actions against errant drivers with proven lapses including poor driving behaviours that compromise the safety of other road users.

 

We have looked into the matter. The driver should not have driven in the manner as alleged. For his poor road behaviour and attitude, we have given him a warning and firmly reminded him to adhere to safety standards set out not just by the Company but by the Traffic Police as well. Your complaint has been filed in his service record and we will monitor his performance closely.

 

We will continue to explore ways to increase safety awareness amongst our taxi drivers and step up enforcement measures to weed out errant drivers with undesirable behaviours.

 

Once again, please accept our deepest apologies over what had happened.

 

Yours sincerely

Christine Chia

Customer Service Officer

Customer Service Centre

ComfortDelGro - Taxi Business

CS Hotline: 6552 4525

Never thank you for highlighting the issue.

[Alechi]

End of day 1. No reply from SMRT taxis feedback ...

[Raymondism]

End of day 1. No reply from SMRT taxis feedback ...

Think give at least 3 days la.

especially when tomorrow is a PH