If you’re a local in Las Vegas or planning to go to the city on vacation, you’ve come to the right place. As one of the most popular tourist destinations for people not only in the United States, but across the globe, Las Vegas attracts millions of people annually owing to the unique experience that one can get nowhere else. Attracting nearly 43 million people in 2016 and all set for more visitors in the future, Las Vegas has a lot to offer not only to tourists, but also to the locals.
Since the number of tourists and citizens in the city are relatively high, taxis are a popular option for going around. However, since the crime rate in Vegas is much higher than that of other cities, the age old question of whether or not taxis and cabs are safe remains. Fortunately for you, we’re dishing out all of the details about taxis in Las Vegas and whether or not they are a safe option to explore the city in this post.
With over 3000 vehicles registered in the taxicab fleet of Las Vegas, it is fair to say that taxis are relatively popular in the city – and that too for good reason. Taxis are a great way to get the taste of any city and are often the preferred choice of locals. The fact that taxis are available in pretty much every part of the city is another plus and an important factor that accounts for their popularity within Las Vegas and other cities in the United States above many other forms of public transportation.
But that certainly doesn’t mean that you should trust cab drivers blindly.
It is estimated that there are about 2500 taxi cab drivers involved in accidents every year in Las Vegas alone. Additionally, about 3000 citations are issued to taxi cab drivers in Las Vegas annually for driving offenses which goes to show how irresponsible and careless they can be. These offences generally include speeding, careless and distracted driving, and swerving in and out of traffic at high speeds. Brake failure is also a very popular reason for collisions involving taxi cabs in Las Vegas as well which goes to show how cabs and taxis in the city are not maintained properly enough. Taxi drivers are also renowned for stopping abruptly in case they find someone in need of a ride (more on that in a bit.)
Taxi cab drivers in Las Vegas are also known to scam people and charge much higher than they should by finding longer alternative routes or resorting to other tactics.
Even though taxis are a convenient means of transport, there are certain tips that you should keep in mind when booking taxis in Las Vegas so that you can go about traveling or seeing the city without any problems. The first and foremost thing that you must keep in mind when you want to book a taxi in Las Vegas – or any other city – is that you should never get into a vehicle that isn’t licensed. This is primarily because unlicensed vehicles are far more likely to be involved in illegal or fraudulent activities.
While it is recommended that you only call a cab directly from a renowned service or company, even if you do happen to take a cab without getting in touch with the company or service first, it is crucial for you to double check the details of the taxi driver before the ride begins. However, as mentioned earlier, it is recommended that you contact a service or company instead of waving your hand at every empty cab you see as taxi drivers in Vegas are known to stop abruptly without taking into consideration the dangers associated with doing so.
If you find yourself in a difficult situation and can’t wait to call the company for a cab, you should not only ask for the name of the driver and check whether or not it matches with the identification and registration details present in the cab, but it is also imperative for you to see whether or not the driver looks like the picture on the registration card. This is an important step that shouldn’t be skipped because drivers can have people drive taxis on their behalf without the knowledge of the company or service and this could possibly end up in a problematic situation.
It is also essential for you to know that long hauling is illegal in Las Vegas which you should either know your route or pull up a map on your phone before your ride begins. It is common for taxi drivers to try and take the longer route to increase the amount that they’ll charge you. For this reason, it is also suggested that you get an estimate of the amount that you’ll have to pay before the journey starts to prevent your driver from taking any unnecessary diversions.
Knowing the payment method accepted by the taxi service or company is also important before your actual journey begins. While there are some companies with fleets of taxis in Las Vegas that accept credit cards, other companies have strictly cash-only policies and not having money at hand when you’re in one of these cabs can be problematic.
It is important here to note that the number of taxi crashes has increased considerably with the decrease in the wages of taxi drivers. For this reason, if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation in a taxi in Las Vegas, it is imperative for you to get in touch with professional personal injury lawyers like those at Ladah Law Firm to ensure that you don’t have to face any undue problems. Our lawyers do not only have years of experience up their sleeves, but they also know exactly what needs to be done in a variety of situations, making the process as simple and convenient as possible for you. Get in touch at 702-252-0055 for professional services today!