Reporting Taxi Driver

Hey everyone,

So today I was doing my usual commute southbound on Elston and in that stretch right after Kohls before Best Buy, I had a cab go around a car in the left lane, comes into the bike lane with his side mirror within a couple inches of my handle bars.

He then proceeds to speed down the bike lane until he gets to the light at Ashland.

I catch up to him and knock and his window and with some harsh language tell him never to do that again as it's dangerous and he almost hit me.

He then proceeds to tell me to "F*(k off" and that I don't know who I'm dealing with and that he's going to kick my ass. Normally, I would let a cabbie off the hook but since he decided to say he's going to kick my ass and I don't know with whom I'm dealing with, I decided to take a picture of his car and report him.

The cab company hasn't called me back yet, so I'll have to report back later.

My real question is to you guys and gals: do any of you report drivers? And do you call the cops on these guys.

Oh, and when I crossed the intersection I had a guy yell out of his window that I shouldn't be in the road and that I should be in the middle of the sidewalk. What a glorious morning!

Thanks,

Chris

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Permalink Reply by Lizzy M. on March 7, 2012 at 4:16am

I report cabs all the time, usually for racing through crosswalks with pedestrians in them. The City says to use 311 for reporting cabds driving dangerously, but I always write a letter to the cab company using the license plate or cab number as well. I suspect it does no good to anyone and has no positive impact on how cab drivers drive, but I still do it.

Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on March 7, 2012 at 4:19am

Thanks Lizzy. I'm waiting for the return call if there is one. Luckily the picture I got is crystal clear with license plate and cab number. We'll see.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on March 7, 2012 at 4:26am

Yes Chris, call 311 and make a report.  Going through the cab company is one step but the 311 call is most important.  It is through this avenue that complaints are recorded.  (The get on the sidewalk comment shows just how much education is needed!!)

Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on March 7, 2012 at 4:46am

Thanks Michelle. I just called 311 and filed a report.

I think part of driver's education and getting your license they should add a section about bicycle rights. Before I started riding my bike 5-6 years ago, I was ignorant of the bike laws...of course, I would have never yelled at a cyclist.

Permalink Reply by El Dorado on March 7, 2012 at 5:50am

I suspect that complaining won't make a big difference but I'd do it anyway. Calling the police would do no good at all. That's for sure.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on March 7, 2012 at 7:17am

I have never reported a cab, (although there have been times where I absolutely should have, and maybe even called 911) but I have reported a couple cars.  And really it should be more than that, but I hate to linger on things like that usually.  

There was a thread here started a while ago about cycle cams.  Contour Roam, GoPro, etc.  Might be something of interest to you.    

Permalink Reply by blair on March 7, 2012 at 7:29am

I've never reported a cab, but probably should.  These cabbies just get worse and worse - they'll cut you off in your bike lane then yell at you for not riding on the sidewalk.  Or brake-check you when you've taken the lane...even if they have 3 clear lanes to choose from.  I usually ask them if they know about the 3-foot law.  I've heard so many insane responses..."Yeah, keep your bike 3 feet away from the road!".

Probably not the best approach but once they start threatening me, I spit and ride off.

Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on March 7, 2012 at 8:08am

I saw that post on cycle cams and had been looking into them for about a year now...I think it's time to find one in my price range. I also saw these goggles that have a built in camera. I'll have to find the link, but I did find the on Amazon.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 7, 2012 at 8:40am

Last time I checked, calling 311 would result in them sending you a form for reporting the incident to the City's Department of Consumer Affairs. Here is the dope from Sweet Old Bob (K) and a direct link to the form:

Sometimes the old-fashioned ink-on-paper produces  better results:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehi...

I used this form a couple of years ago, mailed it it, got a call,
attended a trial before a hearing officer, and the cab driver wound up
with a 30-day suspension.

It seems as if a lot of the cities electronic reporting forms will get
you an email response but not much more after that.

Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on March 7, 2012 at 9:10am

Yeah, the operator said I was going to get a form mailed to me. I'll fill it out and see what happens.

Permalink Reply by Tim S on March 7, 2012 at 1:00pm

I ratted out a cab that was sitting in the Kinzie Bike Lane. He backed into it and was taking up the entire Bike Lane. I knocked on his window, he gave me a dirty look and some lame story of how he was waiting for a fare, I told he he had to leave the lane which got him to roll up his window.

Pulled out my phone and called his company talked to the dispatcher gave the cab number and then took out my camera... holy moley - he took off so fast it was almost dangerous.

Suppose 311 would have been more effective and get a record of it w the city. 

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on March 7, 2012 at 1:09pm

Glad that you’re OK, Chris! Based on the responses here, it looks like you’ve already contacted 311, but here’s some more info for you and other folks who are interested.

We strongly encourage people to report incidents with taxi drivers to the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) by calling 311. This Department regulates the local taxi industry and has a process for handling taxi drivers’ violations that is separate from standard traffic court. Drivers can be disciplined for dangerous driving and also for discourtesy.

Information you’ll want for a successful 311 report:

  1. The MEDALLION NUMBER ON THE CAB. This number is easy to spot, it’s found on the license plate, on the roof, and printed on the rear and sides of the taxi).
  2. The name of the taxi company and the color of the vehicle.
  3. Date, time, location of the incident.
  4. Description of the incident
  5. Physical description of the driver.

 

What to expect:

  1. The 311 operator will take your report over the phone.
  2. BACP will then mail you an affidavit form that you must fill out, sign and return to BACP (snail mail or drop off in person).
  3. BACP then reviews your statement and determines any appropriate penalties. These penalties may include a cash fine, license suspension, enrollment in continuing education courses, drug testing, and/or psychological evaluation.
  4. If the driver decides to fight the charges you may be contacted in the coming months to provide more information or to testify in an administrative hearing (this can often be done over the telephone).

We recommend keeping a copy of your affidavit and writing a journal of your experience. This will remind you of key details in the event that you’re called on to testify weeks or even months following the incident.

Why bother? Enforcement is the key to behavior change, by taking 5 minutes to call 311 you’re encouraging that driver to think twice next time, and you could be saving the life of another person who might get hit next month.  I hope that you never have this experience again, but if you do, and you know how to take action it will be the driver who doesn’t know who (s)he’s “dealing” with.

 -Amanda Woodall, Active Transportation Alliance

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