Getting a taxi.

[tillytoodles1]

My son is having a Halloween fancy dress party on Saturday. I don't have a car so I don't know how I'm going to get home so he suggested a taxi. All the local firms are private hire and as I don't often use them I don't know any of the drivers and I'm scared if getting a taxi home alone late at night. Am I being silly?

there will be a record of you ordering it

if you’re worrried - take a photo of the licence plate before you get in and be really upfront about it

jsut say when you get in - this is absolutely nothing personal but I worry about taking taxis alone and just so you know I’ve taken a photo of the lie ex and messsged it to my friend. And then repeat that it is absolutely nothing personal and yourse sure they’ll understand

I’ve done this

You are not being silly if this isnt something you usually do.
Could you ask for a female driver?
If you book over the phone you should be fine. You could ask on your local Facebook group for recommendations

All private hire drivers will be CRB checked and council licensed. There will be a record of your journey. The real danger is unlicensed vehicles/drivers purporting to be taxis that just stop in the street or get flagged down without pre booking.

If you’re worried, take a photo of the license plate or have your son phone you during the journey.

@OnomatopoeiaFlea you think a woman is being ridiculous to fear male violence? That reflects poorly on you not her

@OnomatopoeiaFlea that post also reflects poorly on you

something has gone very wrong in your life

I think if you can raise a child, you can get a taxi. You are being silly

How do you normally get home from events?? I’m also baffled that grown adults have to ask such things!

@emmathedilemma @Prisonbreak her key area of concern was it being late at night and she’d be alone

it is an entirely rational fear if you have any knowledge of male violence at all

but one that can easily be managed

What views were they?

that mainstream media are not taking sufficient steps to address racism

not surprised to hear that in that case you consider womens fears of male violence to be off colour

Dress up as a witch and get on a broomstick.

It really is not rocket science.

Oh good. The misogynists are here.

More than one of our local firms have an app. You book, they say the car colour, model and reg coming to collect you and once in you have the option of sharing your location with someone.
Might be worth seeing if any offer that to ease your fears?

That you Billy?

Sorry people are being arseholes. Google and find the best rated taxi firm in your area, one with a proper website with registration details you can check. Then, as pp say, it will be a licensed cab with a record of your journey. And send a photo of the car reg to a friend if that helps.

I can understand your worry. However it is limiting for you if you don't have a car and don't want to use a taxi.
Private hire taxi firms do keep a record of their drivers bookings. That acts as some protection for their customers. If something happened, the firm would know who the driver was. You should be told car make model and license plate so you are sure to get in the right car. You could ask your son or a friend to track your journey if you location share in Google maps. Or stay on the phone speaking to them. Or call when you arrive home.
Do you have any local friends you could ask for a taxi firm recommendation from? Would that help to reassure you?

@OnomatopoeiaFlea cripes whats gone wrong with your day?

Can you ask in local fb group for best firm?

Oh and the misandrists are always here. Hordes of you.

I've taken taxis in the daytime and the firm send the make, model and registration of the car. Its probably me being silly, but I've read about woman being abducted and attacked when travelling alone late at night in a taxi.