Best self defence (for Cab Drivers)

[stevie]

Im a cab driver in UK and I wanna learn how to defend my self if I ever get any grief in the cab. What should I be learning, I need to protect myself and be able to strike back if required. Would also help to get a few pounds off.

Stevie

[KickChick]

" Each year the U. S. Department of Labor compiles a list of "most dangerous jobs" in America. In addition to cops and security guards, these lists consistently indicate that people who work in retail establishments, such as convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and gas stations stand a better chance than average of being robbed, assaulted, or murdered.

Cab drivers always make the list. They've been shot, stabbed, strangled, beaten, and kidnapped. Between 1990 and 1996, for instance, 180 New York City cab drivers were murdered. Many NYC cabbies now arm themselves with bats and knives - not much help when the robber has an Uzi. But NYC's gun control laws are notorious for being criminal-friendly, and most cabbies, being law-abiding citizens, don't carry firearms." A SierraTimes Editorial - © 2000 SierraTimes.com

There have been efforts over here in the States (aside from lobbying for cabbies to arm themselves) that oxners of these taxi cab companies at least install safety shields between cabbie and passenger and that they be equipped with an electronic tracking system or security cameras.

Many companies do offer a safety training course for cab drivers ....

Examples:
http://www.taxicabdriversafety.com/index.shtml
http://www.gravesham.gov.uk/media/pdf/h/8/CABWATCHMay2004.pdf

[cxw]

Kickchicks courses look worth finding out about.

If you attacked in a cab, you're going to be sitting down, so there's probably not much point becoming a fine standup fighter. Therefore, a grappling art is probably your best bet, e.g Brazilian Jujitsu, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling. The best one to choose will depend a lot on whats available, location, quality of instruction and people to spar with, what time training is (to fit around your other commitments). Search the forums to comparisons between the tecnhique differences between the different grappling arts. Another useful thing about grappling is that if you get in trouble you could pin, lock or choke hold somebody until help arrives (and legally it would look better for you than knocking out or battering the person).

[Sgt_Major]

get a good grip on the wheel and either floor the accelerator, or stomp the breaks. If it ALL goes pear shaped and they are armed, aim for the nearest solid object and floor it.

or thats what I'd do anyhow

[Wax]

I train with a cabbie and he recomends the brake fluid in a pump spray bottle that I've mentioned before. Other than that he just locks the doors if he doesn't trust the people trying to get in. I'll ask him tonight what else he reccomends but he has only told stories of two attacks (in 20 odd years) and they were solved by the fluid.

[TheMadhoose]

My first Taekwon-Do instructor was a cabbie in lanarkshire for years and swore by his skills learned from TKD.

[TheMightyMcClaw]

It seems like close-ranged striking would be the most effective for inside a vehicle. I can't really see how you would have enough room to apply locks/chokes/takedowns.
Or, of course, you could threaten to drive the cab into a brick wall if someone gets agressive. I know that'd put the fear of god into me. :P

[Deedum]

I train with a cabbie and he recomends the brake fluid in a pump spray bottle that I've mentioned before. Other than that he just locks the doors if he doesn't trust the people trying to get in. I'll ask him tonight what else he reccomends but he has only told stories of two attacks (in 20 odd years) and they were solved by the fluid.


And we would get locked up over here for doing that :D

[Shrfu_Eric]

Now a days ... a hard plexy glass seperation and practice Gun-Fu

Eric

[SouL]

If uve seen mind body and kickass moves then they show a piece where chris shows a female cabbie some moves. He recommends finger locks if they try to grab u from behind and mianly trust ur senses. If u feel someone looks a bit dodgey like guy said dont let them in. Truth is in a confined space their isnt much u can do so again just look for simple direct moves like finger breaks and wrist breaks then get the hell out of their.

This is a uk persepctive and if ur in usa after reading that article id consider a career chnage lol. Not many martial arts gonna teach u to dodge uzi bullets ill assure u of that :woo:

[EinsFaustEnde]

Why not carry a baseball bat in your car, as long as you have a baseball in the car too, you cant get done for it.

edit: im stupid

[Incredible Bulk]

a guy who is a 3rd degree in our school is a cab driver...

two guys jumped out at the end of the journey and tried to confront the cab driver, tried to attack him and they were swiftly sent to our local hospital with one broken arm and one broken jaw.

the police said it was self defence and nothing else was said.

cabs in portsmouth have panic buttons that you press and it alerts all taxi's in the area to your location. some cabbies look forward to those situations :p

[BlindClown]

hahha i like that button feature sounds cool!!

yeh best option probs arm locks and stuff like that