Met a friend on my evening walk yesterday. As we were chatting we see one of these call center cabs (Tata Indicab) pull up to the kerb and brake suddenly. The driver gets out of the car and walks hurriedly to a wine store (that doubles as a quickie bar. I had ranted previously on this), downs two drinks in a span of less than 5 minutes, gets into his car and drives away. I hope he was going home but unlikely. He was probably on his way to pick up people. The Sign on the Cab said “On Oracle Duty“. We tried calling the complaint number listed but no one answered (has anyone ever tried calling those numbers listed behind Cabs that say “Call in case of rash driving”?).
I dont know how companies avoid these things. How do you sensitize drivers to the dangers of drinking and driving? Most companies outsource their transport. The cab companies themselves are facing an acute shortage of labor and are employing people without any background checks.
Bangalore Blues 
one night my wife and myself was almost run over by a taxi cab, clearly a call centre one.
Shocked, I couldnt even check the number written on the back of the cab.
I am sure most of them are drunk after 6 ( AM and PM)
Do the police set up random breath testing stations (aka ‘booze-buses’) set up around the towns Vijay? it’s been a regular occurrence over here for the past 20 years and there’s no doubt it’s cut down the incidence of drink-driving.
Hmmm, while I haven’t called such complaint numbers, I know of others who have and the calls really do not go anywhere! It is the usual story. I don’t know why the companies even bother with the paint job!
Your second para sums it all up.
vijay
It is true what ever written is just for sake of requirement. I too have tried atleast 3 to 4 different companies one one co., did attend the call the registed the cab no. and promised they will take suitable action and profusely thanked for the info but for that single response in all other cased no body lifts the phone it is just mockery of their committment. as all these co.s are mostly MNC’s they must be serious on what they write and what they do. but your close observatiuons on these public awareness issued are superb and I just admire them. because you are putting them in your blog post definetely it will some to work on it. kudos to you and your blog hits croosed a one lakh mark I do mentions in earlier comment congrats and again and I want your views on this is there a significance for this or not. I feel in your blog all are communicative posts and there is lot of discussions considering that I am of the firm opinion that it is a celebration time for you and all of us congrats from the core of my heart wish your jouney continue and continue
@xylene: you are indeed lucky… have seen some of those guys use the footpath as well
@ray: They do.. but not very effective
@chitra: Agree with you. Those numbers are all an eyewash..
@pranesh: Thanks sir.. I had not observed the count at all…
Vijay,
Very timely post. I have noticed lot of checks by our traffic police to check if the person has drunk. specially on weekends…
You know what, when I first learnt that there are some devices which when installed on four wheelers do not ignite if the person is drunk, I felt very happy. Will making these mandatory solve the problem?
Not all companies are so careless, we have 24/7 security helpdesk (its for both employees and for such complaints).. Recently, our security team is training woman employees for self protection. Isn’t it a good try atleast?
I have travelled once or twice in late night cabs during project releases, GOD bless I have had no such experiences.. and we have Tata Sumos not Tata Indicabs 🙂
-Veena
Oh my god… These cab drivers are insane!! I almost gave up driving because of these freaks!! No wonder they drive like lunatics on the streets… They’re high all the time… It’s high time these call centers started screening their drivers!!
http://mirrorcracked.wordpress.com
@Veena
I think the traffic cops hardly stop 4-wheelers for checking anymore… they’;re more bothered with helmet-less two-wheelers… someone should give them a reality check!!
http://mirrorcracked.wordpress.com
@Veena: I dont know if anyone has tried your security helpdesk…
@yaake: unfortunately, its demand and supply… I had an experience once when I used a cab to go to the airport, I ended up driving because this guy JUST could not drive
Vijay, publish that vehicle number & also phone number printed on that vehicle. I remember a post in Bangalore Metro Blogs about rash driving. Someone (HR or Security guy) from that company even commented on that blog post saying they have taken action on that incident/driver…
And also pass me the vehicle number & contact number. Will forward that to my friends working in Oracle & request them to check with transport department.
@Prashanth: Will do… my friend has the number…
Vijay, Can you provide me the cab#? I know a lot of folks at Oracle and can ensure that such things will not be repeated.
@Rohit: Unfortunately has been misplaced…. 😦