Personal Safety - Transport
Personal Safety - Transport
This section offers some general tips on how to keep yourself safe and secure when you’re making a journey – whether catching a bus or taxi, or when you’re in the car.
Public transport
As with everything, you are safest where there are other people, and where it is light or well lit.
- Plan your route.
- Try to wait in busy or well-lit areas.
- Sit near other people, near the driver if you are on a bus, or near the conductor if you are on a train.
- Move if someone makes you feel uncomfortable.
Driving
- Keep your car in good condition and try not to run out of petrol.
- Keep doors locked when driving and keep bags, phones and other valuables out of sight, preferably in the boot.
- Try to park in well-lit or busy areas. If you park during the day, think about what the area will feel like after dark.
- Some car parks have ‘Secured car park’ accreditation. Find out which ones do locally and try to use them – look out for the ‘Secured car park’ sign or visit www.securecarparks.com.
- If you break down on the motorway, follow the arrows to the nearest phone. Do not cross the carriageway. Wait outside your car (as far away as possible from the carriageway) unless you feel threatened, in which case you should sit in the passenger seat.
- Do not give lifts to or accept lifts with people you do not know, or do not know well.
- Do not drive if you have been drinking or taking drugs, and do not accept a lift from someone who has.
- You may feel more comfortable carrying a mobile phone with you. Try to keep it out of sight, and do not use it while driving.
Taxis
If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or book a taxi. Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered.
If you can, pre-book your taxi, make a note of the company you are using and the phone number, and leave it with a friend.
Always keep the number of a reliable firm handy. Avoid minicabs or private-hire cars that tout for business and are unlicensed.
Always sit behind the driver in the back seat.
If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.
If in any doubt, don’t get in the taxi.
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