Taxi companies begin installing security devices after a series of attacks on drivers
There have been several attacks on taxi drivers lately in Kansai, so the topic of driver safety is getting a lot of media attention.
In Osaka, where some of the recent violent incidents took place, only 17% of taxis contain some sort of security device to protect drivers (for Tokyo it is about 75%). Responding to concerns over the attacks, the National Police Association has asked taxi organizations to install safety devices in cars.
Here is a clip of the safety screens an Osaka firm is installing in its taxis after losing one of their drivers to a stabbing attack:
“It’s frightening because the incidents are continuing. But this will give us a little bit of assurance. It’s good that (passengers) will be unable to reach (the driver’s) neck from behind,” said Kazuo Nakagawa, a 59-year-old driver who works there.
It may not look like much, but in this performance it seemed to provide enough of a barrier for the driver to escape before the assailant could do serious damage:
Assuming there are police officers hanging around a taxi at the time of just such an attack, they might come to see what all the noise is about and actually end up arresting the criminal.
Another taxi company showed off a different security system:
Instead of a protective screen, the taxi has a panic button that turns on extra lights and makes a lot of noise. The taxi’s “in use” screen will also change its text to read “SOS.”
Partial security screens and panic buttons may not be great, but they’re a lot better than what some taxi drivers have now.
Bonus video: Are you a taxi driver working for a company that is too cheap to install new security devices? You might want to try out one of those little safety buzzers your kids carry when they walk to school (Yes, this is a clip from an actual safety training demonstration):
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
- Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)
Full RSS Feed
I saw one of those reports 2-3 days ago on TV
they were doing a demo where the driver had a knife to his throat and they were saying he could defend himself by biting the hand of the offender before running out of the vehicle
I thought this was the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever read, it’s total suicide
if you had a knife to your throat would you really try to bite the guy? just give your money and be glad you survived!!!
That’s really messed up. Reminds me of a string of Taxi attacks in NYC a few years back.
The vast majority of taxis in the UK are built so that there is no way of accessing the front from the back – there’s a plastic screen completely seperating them. I’m surprised that some countries are only just beginning the safety techniques.
Well, this may be because in the past there hasen’t been that much of this kind of trouble in those countries.
It´s too bad that taxi companies in relative safe Japan have to take drastic steps like this for security reasons.