I'm sure most of us have had it happen, especially in the downtown Toronto area. You're riding around minding your own business, and suddenly find a taxi cab pushing its way into your lane and forcing you out of it, or at least out of their way, with no regard for your life.
Yes, this happens with other vehicles too, but taxi drivers have adopted a disturbingly aggressive attitude toward other vehicles on the road, particularly of the two-wheeled variety, and I've met more than a few people who have been involved in accidents as a result.
The question is, why is it that taxi drivers can seemingly drive like homicidal maniacs risking everyone else's safety on the road, when most "regular" drivers would quickly be charged and/or have their license suspended/revoked, etc? Has the job description actually allowed for this kind of behaviour?
Of all vehicles on the road, I am always particularly cautious of taxi drivers, but every now and then one gets me by surprise. This afternoon I had one race up from directly behind me, lane-split me to get past, and then slam his brakes directly in front of me just to let his passengers out. He clearly scared the crap out of them, let alone me, and quite obviously had no excuse to have done it. He also did not care when I pulled up to his window to confront him about it. Simply waved me off with a "who cares" look and went on his way -- an attitude that seems all too familiar with these guys. I understand taxi drivers need to be a bit aggressive to compete with other companies and whatnot, but these guys have gone to the point of criminal negligence.
Long story short: Watch your ***** out there, especially downtown, and even moreso when there's cab drivers around. To many, we are little more than an obstacle in their way as far as they care. Ride safe everyone.
Yes, this happens with other vehicles too, but taxi drivers have adopted a disturbingly aggressive attitude toward other vehicles on the road, particularly of the two-wheeled variety, and I've met more than a few people who have been involved in accidents as a result.
The question is, why is it that taxi drivers can seemingly drive like homicidal maniacs risking everyone else's safety on the road, when most "regular" drivers would quickly be charged and/or have their license suspended/revoked, etc? Has the job description actually allowed for this kind of behaviour?
Of all vehicles on the road, I am always particularly cautious of taxi drivers, but every now and then one gets me by surprise. This afternoon I had one race up from directly behind me, lane-split me to get past, and then slam his brakes directly in front of me just to let his passengers out. He clearly scared the crap out of them, let alone me, and quite obviously had no excuse to have done it. He also did not care when I pulled up to his window to confront him about it. Simply waved me off with a "who cares" look and went on his way -- an attitude that seems all too familiar with these guys. I understand taxi drivers need to be a bit aggressive to compete with other companies and whatnot, but these guys have gone to the point of criminal negligence.
Long story short: Watch your ***** out there, especially downtown, and even moreso when there's cab drivers around. To many, we are little more than an obstacle in their way as far as they care. Ride safe everyone.
