Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon that can occur anywhere around the world. It is true that some places are more prone to this natural disaster than others, but in most places where it does occur, we also find taxis. Now it is probably imperative to say that taxis play a crucial part when it comes to such events, and this is because during earthquakes, public transport may be disrupted. Therefore, taxi drivers play an essential role as an emergency mobility call when nothing else is available.
In this article, we want to go further in explaining the importance of taxis when it comes to earthquakes, as well as how taxi drivers can act upon such events to help out and also stay as safe as possible during such events. Do not forget that we encourage and support all taxi rides that are facing major earthquakes around the world, and we hope to offer even more help with this small guide for taxi drivers.
How taxi drivers should prepare
You must understand that as a taxi driver, you are the main line of transport to get people to safety, but if you or the vehicle is not safe, there are not many chances of this happening. This is why the taxi driver, as much as the vehicle itself, needs to be prepared for what is to come. Ensuring that all the loose things within the vehicle, such as tools, equipment, and other objects lying around that are not strapped or locked in the glove box.
However, the glove box, boot, and other compartments can be prone to opening under such circumstances, and therefore, they need to be secured. This is where we get to the heart of the vehicle, and it's prepardeness. The technical inspection must always be up to date and done by a professional service in order to ensure safety at all times, especially for passengers.
Things such as brakes, tires, oil, and emergency lights must be ensured to be working properly. Also, keep a first aid kit, flashlight, blankets, and some bottled water and blankets. Also, keep in mind that it is possible that the energy will go down, so having a road map on hand is good. The taxi driver can also be prepared to have a first aid course done in case the person or passenger they are transporting is injured from the Earthquake.
Having good knowledge of the surroundings
As things can shift around during such events, the taxi driver must know how to handle rough terrain that is damaged. Most of the taxis around the world are made for going around cities and not really for off-road or damaged terrain. It is not only about the car, but also the experience of the driver that can make a big difference in driving around challenges on the road.
High-risk roads and bridges must be avoided at all costs, as they can be very dangerous and unstable. Driving slowly but surely can sometimes be more reliable than being fast and reckless in order to avoid unwanted accidents during the Earth's shift.
Real cases when Taxi Drivers turned into Heroes
After the catastrophic 2008 Sichuan earthquake (magnitude 7.9), hundreds of taxi drivers in Chengdu didn’t just wait for work — they rushed into affected mountain areas to help injured people. Using two-way radios to coordinate with other drivers, many taxis drove into hard-hit districts like Dujiangyan to transport survivors to hospitals and evacuation points, often with emergency blinkers on to signal their purpose. This volunteer effort became a symbol of community solidarity in the immediate aftermath of the quake.
In the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquakes in southern Türkiye, taxi drivers based at Antalya Airport came together to help survivors and evacuees by offering free transportation wherever they needed to go.
After the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, some taxi drivers in the devastated Ishinomaki region reported unusual experiences where they believed they picked up passengers who had been lost in the disaster, only for those passengers to mysteriously vanish before reaching their destination.
Conclusion
Some people may see taxi drivers as simple workers who are just a small part of our society, but the truth is, they are much more than that. As you can see, they are lifesavers and not only during earthquakes, but also when rushing through traffic to make sure you do not lose the flight, as in at least one example. Drivers need to be prepared for everything that is coming ahead on the road.
