Do you know that if you’re at certain locations, taxi drivers disliked driving you to nearby places as they felt that they’ve queued for nothing?
If you need an example, read on.
Taxi Driver Allegedly Turned Aggressive As Passenger in Changi Airport is Only Going to Tampines
In an episode that sounds like it’s straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, a passenger recently filed a chilling complaint about a spine-tingling taxi journey from Changi Airport.
The driver, evidently annoyed by the short distance of the fare, exhibited some daredevil driving antics—aggressive acceleration and reckless overtaking were just the tip of the iceberg.
When confronted about his hazardous behavior, the driver retorted belligerently, “Don’t tell me what to do.” The passenger reported that the driver’s brash actions left her “trembling in terror.” The shock didn’t end there—upon exiting the vehicle, she experienced dizziness and vomiting, compelling her to seek medical help.
Here’s what happened.
Meeting the Driver: A Twist in the Tale
According to 8World, the drama began innocuously.
A 34-year-old saleswoman, Ms Wu, had arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 3 around 6:30 pm on 23 June 2023.
Weighed down with luggage and noting a short queue for taxis, she joined the line without a second thought.
Assigned a “Black Cab” by airport staff—a category of Chrysler premium taxis known for their higher fares—Ms Wu, undeterred, opted for the convenient option.
The hefty charges were no bother since the company would reimburse her travel expenses.
But here’s the thing: She was heading to Tampines, a short drive away from Changi Airport.
The Tension Rises: A Dramatic U-turn
All was calm at first. Ms Wu recalled that the taxi driver, a man appearing to be in his 50s, was initially helpful and courteous, lending a hand with her luggage.
It’s a premium taxi, after all.
However, his demeanor took a “360-degree turn” when he learned of her relatively nearby destination.
Ms Wu was taken aback when the driver warned her about his high rates. However, she expressed her willingness to pay, but that was just the beginning of her ordeal.
Journey from Hell: An Encounter with Danger
Once on the road, the driver demonstrated alarming and irresponsible driving tactics, including rapid acceleration and slowing down and risky overtaking in heavy traffic. This rollercoaster of a ride left her feeling extraordinarily unsafe.
During one nerve-wracking instance, she described how he intentionally sped up on a particularly winding road past the Crowne Plaza hotel. Glancing at her reaction through the rearview mirror, it was clear that his reckless behavior was deliberate.
You know, like your wife banging the door loudly to show her displeasure.
A Frightening Revelation: The Aftermath
Ms Wu stated that due to her safety concerns, she immediately told the driver, “It’s dangerous to drive when you’re angry.”
Upon hearing this, the driver rebuked her, “Don’t tell me what to do. Enough, I’ll take you there… I know how to drive.”
As they were nearing her destination, Ms Wu told the driver, “If I knew you were going to aggressively accelerate, I would have gotten out. You can drop me off. Do you want to drop me off?”
However, the driver replied, “I won’t do that, I’m not stupid enough to do that. Don’t argue with me, don’t tell me what to do.”
Ms Wu confessed that she is usually bold, but sitting in the back seat that day, the driver’s reckless behavior had her “shaking with fear”.
After getting out of the taxi, she began to feel dizzy and started vomiting, and had to seek medical attention. The doctor diagnosed her discomfort as resulting from fright and prescribed stress-relieving medication.
While Ms Wu has previously encountered taxi drivers disgruntled by short fares, the majority would still transport her safely home, for which she expressed her gratitude with a tip. However, she emphasized that such hair-raising episodes should not be brushed under the carpet.
According to her, drivers should never gamble with passengers’ lives with reckless behavior. Calling attention to the potential dangers for vulnerable passengers, she reported the incident to the authorities and issued a complaint to the relevant department.
Moral of the story?
There’s a reason why Grab exists.
