The month of May brings Mother’s Day and warmer weather, which means more pedestrians will be out on city streets – so be extra cautious. We also offer some quick car-care tips to help you prepare for summer and avoid breakdowns.
Mother’s Day
This year, Mother’s Day is May 10 – a special day for many New Yorkers, and one of the busiest days of the years for restaurants, flower shops, street vendors, and of course, drivers licensed by the city’s Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC).
- Treat all passengers with special care. Many will themselves be mothers and some could be children who no longer have a living mother – so it could be a particularly sad day for them. Do your best to cheer up anyone who looks a little down. Kind words could make someone’s day.
- Treat fellow motorists with extra courtesy for the same reasons.
- If you are fortunate enough to be able to see your mother, please remember that every day is a day to treat all women with courtesy and respect. Many are mentors, guardians, coaches, police officers, teachers, doctors, nurses and executives, who guide us and lead us in so many ways. While some may not be biological mothers, they make us better people.
Pedestrian Accidents
In New York City, millions of pedestrians cross intersections at all hours of the day. All vehicles must yield to all pedestrians at all times, and at all locations.
- Avoid frightening a pedestrian by blowing your horn at them or angering someone by moving at an excessive speed towards them unnecessarily. Such actions can lead to a pedestrian banging on the hood of your vehicle or falling down and making a fraudulent claim.
- Always call the police and make a report if you are involved in an incident or accident with a pedestrian. Do not leave the scene or you can be arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, even if you know your vehicle did not make contact with the pedestrian.
- Always anticipate an unsafe act by pedestrians talking on a phone, chatting with someone, eating, or just not paying attention to their surroundings while crossing an intersection. Even if you have the light, be extra careful as they may not be paying attention to traffic and crossing signals.
- Always use extra caution when pedestrians are senior citizens. Their hearing and/or vision may be impaired.
- Keep an eye out for pedestrians crossing in between double-parked vehicles.
- Watch out for pedestrians jaywalking in front of a bus in the process of loading passengers.
- Use extra caution after-dark when visibility is diminished.
Parade and Street Fair Season
The height of the city’s parade and street fair season is fast approaching, so always read up on parade routes and potential street closings before starting your shift.
- Predetermine alternate routes to help avoid getting stuck in traffic.
- Always explain to your passengers why you are choosing an alternate route.
- If the stress of working on parade days is too great for you, consider working when there are no parades or street fairs.
- Always keep your temper in check. Do not succumb to road rage if you get stuck in heavy traffic. Be thankful that parades and street fairs bring many tourists to New York. That means more work for our TLC-licensed drivers.
- Be courteous to out-of-state drivers and assist them whenever possible. When someone parks their vehicle, they may become your next passenger.
Summer Driving Season
- As the weather warms, be especially alert for children at all hours of the day.
- Your passengers will expect a cool vehicle, so don’t wait for someone to request air conditioning. Keep it running for their comfort. It will likely take longer to reach a comfortable temperature than the average time passengers spend in your vehicle.
- Driving a comfortable vehicle in the summer reduces your chances of getting involved in a road rage incident. It helps avoid becoming irritable or prematurely exhausted.
- Remember: NYC buses and subways are air conditioned and offer their service at a much lower cost than you.
- While the cost of fueling your vehicle increases when you use your air conditioning, average gratuities should rise to more than offset that amount.
- Prom season means that teenagers will be getting in and out of limousines to take photos. Please use extra caution around them and allow them to enjoy their special evening.
Summer Vehicle Quick Tips
- Inspect your radiator if your vehicle is more than one year old.
- Change fan belts that are overly worn and always check your fluids.
- Replace or remove your winter thermostat.
