This is why background checks are important!

In San Antonio, (I’m sure other cities also) an Uber driver was arrested for sexually assaulting a passenger.

Apparently, the Uber driver told police that he gave the woman a ride home. He then helped her inside because she was inebriated. Drunk or not, totally unprofessional for anyone in transportation service to take advantage of a customer.

Even if the client was consensual during her state of mind. This Uber driver is in real trouble. There are a lot of people out in this city, not all are like this Uber driver. It is however, a reminder to us all that we must be diligent with our surroundings. It’s very unfortunate that this young lady endured the traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted.

Beware of Uber & Lyft. They do not pertain to the same type of background checks that we here at Payless Taxi perform on all our drivers.

In conclusion, there are some instances where getting an Uber or Lyft may be in your interest, depending on the day and event your attending. Regardless of what company your riding with, its best to have a plan in place for someone to provide a welfare check. Whether it’s in person, via law enforcement or just a simple phone call, let’s do our best to protect those we care about.

Here are a few Ride Sharing Safety Tips

• Verify that the driver is whom is the person that is supposed to be servicing you.
• Never offer cash, payments are made via there app.
• Ride in the backseat and be sure you can operate your doors and that the child safety lock is not enabled.
• Notify a friend or loved one that you are traveling via ride share, so they may perform welfare check if they don’t hear back from you.
• Always follow your intuition and trust your instinct.
• Beware of any personal information you share with the driver.
• If your able, try following your route via GPS with your smart phone.
• Always wear your seatbelt.

Click here to read more from KSAT 12.

If you want to guarantee a timely and safe arrival, then travel with ETI.

ETI Limousine & Charter Services performs background checks on all our drivers, so you can be assured you will have a comfortable, safe commute.

Beware my fellow cab drivers, there are some scrupulous people out there. In San Antonio, there is an article about a cab driver who was assaulted and robed of his taxi cab.

According the the cab driver, the passenger was providing directions but no address and began to make the driver suspicious.  When the driver took the nearest exit, that’s when the passenger attacked him.

The driver was fortunate enough to escape into a nearby gas station, however his taxi was stolen.

Read more from MySA

What is a real shame, is that San Antonio is a beautiful city with wonderful people and this scoundrel does not represent the real people of SA.

Driving in a taxi all day in hard traffic is stressful enough, and to be weary of some dirt bag assaulting and robing you of your lively hood is just down right wrong.

We at ETI do our best to be vigilant and learn how to read people; we actually train our drivers how to do this.

Just as law enforcement has to deal with a diverse set of public each day, so do our taxi drivers. Difference is, law enforcement is trained and armed to deal with situations. We cab drivers are merely earning an honest living, helping people get to where they need to on a daily basis.

How do you stay safe driving a taxi cab?

Safety Tips For Fellow Cab Drivers

• Use your intuition when picking up your passenger(s).
• Learn to “read” or “study” your customer.
• Share your location with dispatch at all times.
• Put a tracker on your vehicle.
• Make sure your windows are rolled up with doors locked, until you can confirm your fare.
• Always be alert and aware.
• Do not display any cash or money.
• Remember your emergency procedures.
• Be careful when passengers are seated behind you.
• Try to maintain eye contact and keep customer in site.
• Never drive into dark alleys or an unknown location.
• Always stay calm and don’t be aggressive or argumentative.
• Always be extra careful at night.
• If you’re being robbed, don’t panic or resist, just co-operate and wait till you can inform law enforcement.

ETI Limousine & Charter Services perform background checks on all there drivers, so you know your in safe hands with PaylessTaxi.com