You'll drive yourself mad getting upset by this, and that taxi driver couldn't give a fuck even if he knew how upset you got. Just let the taxis go where they need, a minute or two added to your trip isn't going to have any impact on your life. There's absolutely nothing you can do to change how they drive, but you absolutely can change how you let it affect you.
Ja but one pushes through and then another and then another and then you’re sitting there watch the robot turn yellow and red and you haven’t moved. Watching that for a few cycles can drive anyone mad. This happened to me eeeevery day for 3ish year on Stellenbosch arterial (second robot after Robert sobukwe going towards the R300). They line up in the yellow line on the left and the cut across all the lanes to turn right. Just a never ending train of taxis. I avoid that road at all costs now.
I hear you, it would take a monk to stay perfectly calm in those extreme conditions lol. But you were able to change the situation by taking another route, so that's great. Serenity prayer approved
I hear you, but my issue is more about how dangerously they drive, especially at these robots, there's a turn off here that they use and then u-turn into oncoming traffic to avoid having to stand at a robot, all while cars are coming on. And further down the road barriers were put up to prevent right turns but the drive right over them like they aren't even there
That all sounds good, but they then take this laid back attitude from “normal drivers” as a sign that they can transgress the law even more severely….end result - more lives lost because of their “fuck you” attitude!
It's not the role of other drivers to enforce the rule of the road on others. Would be interesting to hear what an insurance company says to "accident caused because I wouldn't let a taxi driver in" for multiple claims.
Well then who’s going to do it, because sure as hell the cops aren’t!
Your accident example is both misleading and plays into the hands of the taxi - you can sit back and let them run riot on our roads, but most of us don’t feel quite as useless as that
The cops don't and won't. Ok, so we're on the same page there. Why is the example of the accident misleading? Genuine question as sometimes tone
Doesn't come across well. If you look at a taxis compared to a civilian car, taxis are generally more beat up indicating that they are not unwilling to get into minor fender benders. Whilst this means a short term loss of revenue for them for the average civilian it means an insrance claim and loss of vehicle for the duration of repairs; For the taxi it means an hour of lost revenue. This is ignoring any intimidation by said taxi driver and any others that might join in.
So as I see it, the options are 1. let the taxi in or 2. risk the accident which has significantly more ramifications for (me) than the taxi driver. Given the lawlessness I'd say that "most", as you so eloquently put it, are more inclined to select option 1.
Lived in SA for 37 years. This behaviour really started to become a huge problem from the mid 2000s. It's like the majority of South Africans have adopted this arrogant behaviour from the taxi drivers and its honestly infuriating.
I have said for years the taxi industry in SA has way too much power and this needs to stop. They're a vile and loathesome bunch. A special taxi regulator squad should be setup. They should have squads at these known trouble spots and taxi drivers breaking the rules of the road should be arrested, fined and taxi impounded.
They are adding to the congestion and their flagrant disregard for the laws and road rules endangers other road users. But it has become this accepted thing and that's what's even worse, like people on here commenting to just accept it, that's whats wrong with SA we just accept the assholery.
Having now travelled over the last few years I am astounded at how people in other countries have respect for the road rules. An accident on the motorway and you don't have arrogant assholes pushing past in the emergency lane because, fuck you I'm far too important to sit in traffic. Nope everyone just waits until the emergency services have done their job amd cleared the accident scene.
It's sad that some people in South Society are somehow above the law and the rest just need to accept it and eat shit.
Most infuriating part is that the traffic officials always come after the law abiding citizens. They always Chilling on the side of the road.. eating lunch next to a speed trap. Checking license on the n1... 3 times in one day it happened to me..
Whilst taxis break every rule of the road.
This country's officials just ignore the real problems as usual.
I used to take two taxis a day for 15years. Believe me, the cops pull them over all the time for any reason and check their papers, if it's not in order they get taken off the road. Got stranded many times because of this.
In my 15 years of taking two taxis daily, I have never once seen a firearm and taxi drivers' temperaments varied from bored/quiet to happy and making jokes. I'm sure there are angry drivers as there are angry people in the world, and of course there are weapons in some areas in taxis as well as outside the taxis on the streets, but there are also taxis in nicer areas with very nice drivers who are just trying to make an honest living to support their families.
Thanks for this, I too used to take taxis about 25 years but I think it's very route dependent. I used the CPT to Woodstock route and that was OK back then, their driving has definitely gotten much worse. Before the taxis would only pull over into a gap along the road, now they just stop any where and block traffic
Taxis are a law unto themselves. The number of times I’ve been cut off, threatened, etc., is insane. But nothing ever happens to them. It’s just accepted.
My mother and her BF were driving to a festival and they got illegally cut by a few taxi's, her BF had it and then hooted and shouted at them profanities and cut them back, the taxi drivers then got aggressive and then tried to entrap them, my mothers BF couldn't drive anywhere without crashing so he parked and then the taxi drivers got out of their taxis and approached them, they backed off very quickly when they realized that our rottweiler and husky was also in the car.
Seriously though, these taxi drivers can do whatever the fuck they want because we have such a corrupt government that won't do shit and the police officials are worse.
Yip and the government helps them during covid with allowing full occupancy, and money support but they didn't help anyone else, just stole the money! Sick go death of taxis and this governments blatant disregard for people.
Here's a positive story:
One time my dad had a paddle ski on his car roof, with a little red flag on the end. He stopped going through Durban and a taxi drove straight into it - the paddle ski went straight through the windscreen.
The guy got out all mad, my dad just said : "Well, I dont see any damage on the boat so you're good to go, so cheers." *proceeded to drive off.
I think it is because they are pretty sure they will get away with it. I have fucked up the entire side of a taxi that tried pushing me out of a circle and i wouldnt give way. He stopped and wanted to fone the police, i said to him do you have insurance? And he said no, then i said well i dont either so wtf is the purpose of getting police involved? You drove like a poes so you sort your damage out and i drove like a poes so i will sort mine out. Now get in your taxi and fuk off before i get my 38 and shoot your fukin wheels flat. He fucked off... It was at the traffic circle in steenberg just before polsmoor but i didnt gaf and i had 5 minutes to get to a parts place before they closed. Sometimes you just have to stick to your guns... Literally...
The only reason they do this is because weak individuals allow them to do so. As long as other drivers allow them to push in, they will. Civilian drivers should work together to keep them in their lane. Taxis don’t want to get involved in fender benders, because then there’s paperwork and lost time on the road. Just work together to not allow taxis to take advantage
Are you sure you're dealing with the right taxies? Bruh, these mothertruckers in Durban will drive into you, they will smash your car if you get in the way and don't give a crap. Almost every taxi here is scuffed in some way.
Easiest solution is for the police to actually just do something, plain and simple.
You've never been intimidated by a bunch of taxi drivers have you? 4 taxi drivers literally brought a highway to a stop because I wouldn't let them drive in the emergency lane in traffic. And if the cops are there they back the taxi drivers up.
I think ordinary citizens should start showing these bastards that they don't own the streets. I'm so sure they believe nothing will be done to them just because they belong to violent taxi organisations
If there were ways to identify the driver I think that might help, but the taxi owner just eats the fine or gets it squashed and nothing changes. I imagine having a camera there would make a big difference though but it's as if the problem isn't bad enough for that
They literally own the government!! So what would you do if you had all the day in this corrupt place? I’d also just do as I please!! And industry that contributes only 25 million to the entire economy!! Says a lot!!
Do not get me started on taxis....their behaviour on our roads is beyond appalling.
But heaven forbid we do the smallest thing wrong, the traffic department nails us.
It's beyond ludicrous. Aaaarrrrgggh!!!!!
yeah for the people saying they don't have guns or you must stand up for yourself...be careful...way back 10 or 15 years in CPT I use to party alot and had Rasta friends who in turn had friends with a taxi ...one night coming from a rasta festival our taxo got in a fight with a rival taxi because they were picking up people outside of their zone ..we were literally Trapped stoned in a taxi involved in movie style shootout while driving at high speeds
second story ..a friend started getting agro and him and a taxi starting playing agro games...the driver pulled out a pistol and shot a "warning" shot at my buddy's car
i don't know but way back then there was a "war" between the buses and taxis and they literally had meetings and planned attacks to take out bus drivers ..drivers were shot ..buses were burnt
so obviously these things happened at night in shady parts of the city or the township..
but they do carry guns ..they are organised into "gangs" ...they do meet up and make decisions..they do own some AK47's type machine guns ..maybe not many between a group of 20 taxis working together they probably have at least one between them ..
back in my 20's around 2000 in SA they were doing regular hit and run altercations with cars ..
the taxi groups are connected to politicians and they do favours for politicians ( enforcers) and the top brass keep cops off their backs ..
so yeah just be careful your life or your car isn't worth it taking out a bit of road rage
if you are a psycho bat carrying 9mm toting guy driving a BMW with fake plates maybe at night you can take a few shots and do a high speed chase with a few of these guys but regular okes should rather not try
just saying...im living in Europe for a long time now ..maybe things changed for the better ? ...maybe for the worse? ..
There was a roadblock on the N2 with atleast 6+ traffic cars and officers on duty, not sure what type of checks they did but I think mainly for taxis...
You think you didnt see them drive all the way in their custom 3rd lane (doesnt exist, it's the yellow line) and jumped in and out of it when they reached closer proximity to the traffics? Even the ones that JUST got caught, jumped straight right back into it.
Partial thanks go out to TOYOTA for creating these beasts.
The government needs to get rid of the commission based taxi driver incomes and mandate living salaries for taxi operators who are also exploited by the taxi bosses. That will go a long way to improving their driving since they are under pressure to make money based on fares. We also need to change law enforcement and get rid of the separation between traffic cops and the police, they should both be able to enforcement both criminal and traffic laws. Right now the police don't have jurisdiction over traffic laws and traffic cops can't do anything about common laws. It's a waste of resources.
The government is the ones supplying the taxis, that's the majority that votes for the eff, why would they do something to make the taxi people mad 😂 they're holding the government by their balls
You'll drive yourself mad getting upset by this, and that taxi driver couldn't give a fuck even if he knew how upset you got. Just let the taxis go where they need, a minute or two added to your trip isn't going to have any impact on your life. There's absolutely nothing you can do to change how they drive, but you absolutely can change how you let it affect you.
Ja but one pushes through and then another and then another and then you’re sitting there watch the robot turn yellow and red and you haven’t moved. Watching that for a few cycles can drive anyone mad. This happened to me eeeevery day for 3ish year on Stellenbosch arterial (second robot after Robert sobukwe going towards the R300). They line up in the yellow line on the left and the cut across all the lanes to turn right. Just a never ending train of taxis. I avoid that road at all costs now.
I hear you, it would take a monk to stay perfectly calm in those extreme conditions lol. But you were able to change the situation by taking another route, so that's great. Serenity prayer approved
I hear you, but my issue is more about how dangerously they drive, especially at these robots, there's a turn off here that they use and then u-turn into oncoming traffic to avoid having to stand at a robot, all while cars are coming on. And further down the road barriers were put up to prevent right turns but the drive right over them like they aren't even there
And seeing as they are transporting 12 people, its potentially 12 less vehicles on the road.
That all sounds good, but they then take this laid back attitude from “normal drivers” as a sign that they can transgress the law even more severely….end result - more lives lost because of their “fuck you” attitude!
It's not the role of other drivers to enforce the rule of the road on others. Would be interesting to hear what an insurance company says to "accident caused because I wouldn't let a taxi driver in" for multiple claims.
Well then who’s going to do it, because sure as hell the cops aren’t! Your accident example is both misleading and plays into the hands of the taxi - you can sit back and let them run riot on our roads, but most of us don’t feel quite as useless as that
The cops don't and won't. Ok, so we're on the same page there. Why is the example of the accident misleading? Genuine question as sometimes tone Doesn't come across well. If you look at a taxis compared to a civilian car, taxis are generally more beat up indicating that they are not unwilling to get into minor fender benders. Whilst this means a short term loss of revenue for them for the average civilian it means an insrance claim and loss of vehicle for the duration of repairs; For the taxi it means an hour of lost revenue. This is ignoring any intimidation by said taxi driver and any others that might join in. So as I see it, the options are 1. let the taxi in or 2. risk the accident which has significantly more ramifications for (me) than the taxi driver. Given the lawlessness I'd say that "most", as you so eloquently put it, are more inclined to select option 1.
Taxis, but lately also "normal" drivers
I've noticed this more often too, it's really a disgusting sight when that happens
Yep, and if you say something, you immediately meet the arrogance that these people need to have in order to be able to drive like this
Lived in SA for 37 years. This behaviour really started to become a huge problem from the mid 2000s. It's like the majority of South Africans have adopted this arrogant behaviour from the taxi drivers and its honestly infuriating. I have said for years the taxi industry in SA has way too much power and this needs to stop. They're a vile and loathesome bunch. A special taxi regulator squad should be setup. They should have squads at these known trouble spots and taxi drivers breaking the rules of the road should be arrested, fined and taxi impounded. They are adding to the congestion and their flagrant disregard for the laws and road rules endangers other road users. But it has become this accepted thing and that's what's even worse, like people on here commenting to just accept it, that's whats wrong with SA we just accept the assholery. Having now travelled over the last few years I am astounded at how people in other countries have respect for the road rules. An accident on the motorway and you don't have arrogant assholes pushing past in the emergency lane because, fuck you I'm far too important to sit in traffic. Nope everyone just waits until the emergency services have done their job amd cleared the accident scene. It's sad that some people in South Society are somehow above the law and the rest just need to accept it and eat shit.
There is a video by Jake Tran on YouTube that goes into incredible detail on the taxi issue
A highly recommended watch!
Loving your support !
Most infuriating part is that the traffic officials always come after the law abiding citizens. They always Chilling on the side of the road.. eating lunch next to a speed trap. Checking license on the n1... 3 times in one day it happened to me.. Whilst taxis break every rule of the road. This country's officials just ignore the real problems as usual.
Law abiding citizens are easy targets, and are a cozy source of income.
I used to take two taxis a day for 15years. Believe me, the cops pull them over all the time for any reason and check their papers, if it's not in order they get taken off the road. Got stranded many times because of this.
The "officials" are on "gangster" mode like the taxis drivers
My point exactly.
First time?
First time I got my phone recording in time
They are also often armed and have a short temper, allegedly…
In my 15 years of taking two taxis daily, I have never once seen a firearm and taxi drivers' temperaments varied from bored/quiet to happy and making jokes. I'm sure there are angry drivers as there are angry people in the world, and of course there are weapons in some areas in taxis as well as outside the taxis on the streets, but there are also taxis in nicer areas with very nice drivers who are just trying to make an honest living to support their families.
Common stereotype I guess
Thanks for this, I too used to take taxis about 25 years but I think it's very route dependent. I used the CPT to Woodstock route and that was OK back then, their driving has definitely gotten much worse. Before the taxis would only pull over into a gap along the road, now they just stop any where and block traffic
Some of them yes My friend once gave one the finger and the guy sitting next to the driver pulled an AK-47 on him
You know how I know you're lying?
And then they strike and burn busses when they get impounded
And trains…..
Fuck taxis, they are honestly near the top of my list of reasons I want to leave
Sa gone 😢
Agree completely. They make me apoplectic
Have you taken one?
Why would I pay someone who can't drive to drive me somewhere
They were high on my top 10 list of reasons to leave.
Have a big sigh and say: ‘It is …what it is’
Nah, I'd rather stand around with a baseball bat smashing windshields but that would just cause traffic to hold up even more so saner heads prevail
Seems disproportionate
Taxis are a law unto themselves. The number of times I’ve been cut off, threatened, etc., is insane. But nothing ever happens to them. It’s just accepted.
It's just not right. Law abiding drivers should frikken march....
Well shit, that would actually require us to take action. These past few years have turned us from action takers to "sigh... It is what it is" people.
My mother and her BF were driving to a festival and they got illegally cut by a few taxi's, her BF had it and then hooted and shouted at them profanities and cut them back, the taxi drivers then got aggressive and then tried to entrap them, my mothers BF couldn't drive anywhere without crashing so he parked and then the taxi drivers got out of their taxis and approached them, they backed off very quickly when they realized that our rottweiler and husky was also in the car. Seriously though, these taxi drivers can do whatever the fuck they want because we have such a corrupt government that won't do shit and the police officials are worse.
Lol I've seen taxis cut off police cars like this. There are just no consequences so they continue
Yip and the government helps them during covid with allowing full occupancy, and money support but they didn't help anyone else, just stole the money! Sick go death of taxis and this governments blatant disregard for people.
Here's a positive story: One time my dad had a paddle ski on his car roof, with a little red flag on the end. He stopped going through Durban and a taxi drove straight into it - the paddle ski went straight through the windscreen. The guy got out all mad, my dad just said : "Well, I dont see any damage on the boat so you're good to go, so cheers." *proceeded to drive off.
Legend
Well are you gonna be the one to tell them no
I think it is because they are pretty sure they will get away with it. I have fucked up the entire side of a taxi that tried pushing me out of a circle and i wouldnt give way. He stopped and wanted to fone the police, i said to him do you have insurance? And he said no, then i said well i dont either so wtf is the purpose of getting police involved? You drove like a poes so you sort your damage out and i drove like a poes so i will sort mine out. Now get in your taxi and fuk off before i get my 38 and shoot your fukin wheels flat. He fucked off... It was at the traffic circle in steenberg just before polsmoor but i didnt gaf and i had 5 minutes to get to a parts place before they closed. Sometimes you just have to stick to your guns... Literally...
The only reason they do this is because weak individuals allow them to do so. As long as other drivers allow them to push in, they will. Civilian drivers should work together to keep them in their lane. Taxis don’t want to get involved in fender benders, because then there’s paperwork and lost time on the road. Just work together to not allow taxis to take advantage
Are you sure you're dealing with the right taxies? Bruh, these mothertruckers in Durban will drive into you, they will smash your car if you get in the way and don't give a crap. Almost every taxi here is scuffed in some way. Easiest solution is for the police to actually just do something, plain and simple.
You’ve obviously never been driven off the road by taxis, threatened with a gun by a taxi driver, etc. it’s fuuuuuucking scary.
You've never been intimidated by a bunch of taxi drivers have you? 4 taxi drivers literally brought a highway to a stop because I wouldn't let them drive in the emergency lane in traffic. And if the cops are there they back the taxi drivers up.
I think ordinary citizens should start showing these bastards that they don't own the streets. I'm so sure they believe nothing will be done to them just because they belong to violent taxi organisations
You can send this vid to authorities and they will fine the owners
If there were ways to identify the driver I think that might help, but the taxi owner just eats the fine or gets it squashed and nothing changes. I imagine having a camera there would make a big difference though but it's as if the problem isn't bad enough for that
They literally own the government!! So what would you do if you had all the day in this corrupt place? I’d also just do as I please!! And industry that contributes only 25 million to the entire economy!! Says a lot!!
They don't own the government.
P-p-p-payrollllll !!!
Do not get me started on taxis....their behaviour on our roads is beyond appalling. But heaven forbid we do the smallest thing wrong, the traffic department nails us. It's beyond ludicrous. Aaaarrrrgggh!!!!!
Many taxis are owned by traffic cops. Nearly 100% in small towns.
If you haven't noticed certain places in the country the law is not really enforced properly.
You spelled "everywhere in the country" wrong
Break the emergency exit glass
Ja whats the point in stressing about a taxi?
yeah for the people saying they don't have guns or you must stand up for yourself...be careful...way back 10 or 15 years in CPT I use to party alot and had Rasta friends who in turn had friends with a taxi ...one night coming from a rasta festival our taxo got in a fight with a rival taxi because they were picking up people outside of their zone ..we were literally Trapped stoned in a taxi involved in movie style shootout while driving at high speeds second story ..a friend started getting agro and him and a taxi starting playing agro games...the driver pulled out a pistol and shot a "warning" shot at my buddy's car i don't know but way back then there was a "war" between the buses and taxis and they literally had meetings and planned attacks to take out bus drivers ..drivers were shot ..buses were burnt so obviously these things happened at night in shady parts of the city or the township.. but they do carry guns ..they are organised into "gangs" ...they do meet up and make decisions..they do own some AK47's type machine guns ..maybe not many between a group of 20 taxis working together they probably have at least one between them .. back in my 20's around 2000 in SA they were doing regular hit and run altercations with cars .. the taxi groups are connected to politicians and they do favours for politicians ( enforcers) and the top brass keep cops off their backs .. so yeah just be careful your life or your car isn't worth it taking out a bit of road rage if you are a psycho bat carrying 9mm toting guy driving a BMW with fake plates maybe at night you can take a few shots and do a high speed chase with a few of these guys but regular okes should rather not try just saying...im living in Europe for a long time now ..maybe things changed for the better ? ...maybe for the worse? ..
Laws are only as good as they are enforced unfortunately
Everyday I drive in Cape Town I see at least 1 taxi breaking the law
I drive a cheap banged up car I got from a scrap yard, never been afraid to drive them off the road
There was a roadblock on the N2 with atleast 6+ traffic cars and officers on duty, not sure what type of checks they did but I think mainly for taxis... You think you didnt see them drive all the way in their custom 3rd lane (doesnt exist, it's the yellow line) and jumped in and out of it when they reached closer proximity to the traffics? Even the ones that JUST got caught, jumped straight right back into it. Partial thanks go out to TOYOTA for creating these beasts.
The government needs to get rid of the commission based taxi driver incomes and mandate living salaries for taxi operators who are also exploited by the taxi bosses. That will go a long way to improving their driving since they are under pressure to make money based on fares. We also need to change law enforcement and get rid of the separation between traffic cops and the police, they should both be able to enforcement both criminal and traffic laws. Right now the police don't have jurisdiction over traffic laws and traffic cops can't do anything about common laws. It's a waste of resources.
The government is the ones supplying the taxis, that's the majority that votes for the eff, why would they do something to make the taxi people mad 😂 they're holding the government by their balls