Five Most Dangerous Places for Women by Linda Fairstein

Author:Linda Fairstein [Fairstein, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-7329-6
Publisher: Open Road Media

Taxi and Livery Cabs

Most people don’t think twice about hopping into a cab—in fact, it often seems like a safer bet than walking or taking public transportation late at night. But think about it: Once you’ve gotten into someone’s car, you’re at that person’s mercy. So you’d better make sure you can trust him.

Years ago, I prosecuted a case in which, following a holiday party, a group of young lawyers hailed what they thought was a yellow cab to take home one of their intoxicated colleagues. The woman passed out within several blocks and was awakened miles away by the weight of the driver’s body on her own. He was trying to rape her. She was able to push him of, open the door, and roll out onto the pavement, screaming for help.

The cabbie was a fake, not licensed by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission. He drove around the city late at night, picking up fares who didn’t notice—or didn’t care about—the fact that he wasn’t legit and didn’t display any of the necessary permits or markings on his car.

It’s not just a big-city phenomenon. Earlier this year in Louisville, Kentucky, a 23-year-old woman got into a 1989 Cadillac that carried magnetic signs reading Area Transportation. The car’s owner, Martin Phillip Jackson, even had business cards for his “taxi service.” Once his unsuspecting victim was inside, Jackson allegedly locked the doors and assaulted her, punching and choking her when she tried to escape. The police responded to a 911 call from a passerby and were finally able to apprehend Jackson—after a high-speed chase. His victim was found unconscious, barely breathing, on the back floorboards of the car. It turned out that Jackson had been convicted of abducting a woman in a similar manner two years earlier. He has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges.

In most places, taxi drivers are required to include lettering with the company name, inspection stickers, fare rates, and permits that display the driver’s picture. Always check these out before you commit to a ride, and never accept a ride from a freelance livery driver cruising for fares.

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