If you use public transport to get to and from work or to social events you should be particularly careful at this time of year. Police warn that trains, buses and even taxis are crime hotspots. But there are many simple steps you can take to prevent falling victim to crime on public transport this season. Here s the Lagos Cab Man's guide to staying safe. Below is advice for staying safe in taxis.
_______________________________________ HOW TO STAY SAFE IN TAXIS • Know the difference between a marked taxi and an unpainted cab. Taxis may all look the same when you've had a few glasses of wine, but there are some very important differences. In fact the only types of taxis that are legally allowed to stop when hailed in the street are the marked taxi's (here in Lagos the colour is yellow with two black stripes. We also have others that carry distinct colours with the name of the cab company written on it like : metro taxi, red cab etc). All legitimate marked cabs are licensed by the local authorities and have a unique colour. Other taxis are called. Unmarked cabs.

The reality is that marked taxis are not allowed in some certain places especially some residential areas or estates. For some reason, you may prefer to move around in an unmarked cab and this is just fine.

• If using an unmarked cab, always pre-book it. If you intend to take an unmarked cab, take the phone number of a reputable firm you know and trust with you when you go out for the night. If you don't know the number of a reputable firm ask a friend for the number of a firm or individual cab driver they trust.

• Be cautious if you are ordering a cab in a public place. Always remember if you are calling a cab from a public place to make sure that you can not be overheard by strangers as this could give away your address. To be extra secure, when you are ordering a cab to pick you up from a public place do not give your full name and full address - just in case someone can hear you.

• Don't get into an ordered cab until you're sure it's yours. After a night on the tiles it's tempting to jump into your taxi as soon at arrives. But security experts warn that it's easy to get into the wrong cab, even if you take care to order one in advance. Ideally, when you phone for a cab, ask what kind of car is coming to pick you up and the driver's name. When the taxi arrives, before you get into it make sure you ask the driver the name of the customer he or she is there to pick up - rather than giving them your name - and the name of the company they work for. That way you can be sure you are safe and in the right cab.

• Trust your instincts. It's a cliche, but if you don't feel comfortable with the taxi that arrives for you or stops for you then trust your instincts and take another cab.

• Always sit in the back. Safety experts advise women to sit in the back of cabs, rather than in the front seat, as this keeps you at a safe distance from the driver should there be any problems. You will also have two doors to leave the cab from in an emergency rather than one.

• Keep conversation on a professional level. Cab drivers are famous for their tall tales, but the general advice from police to women is to keep conversation with your taxi driver to a strictly professional basis. 'The last thing you want is for the taxi driver to get the impression that you want them to be over familiar,' says a security expert. 'Try to keep the conversation polite but professional and about every day matters rather than personal things.'

• Have your keys ready. When you reach your destination always have your keys ready to get into your house or flat before you get out of the cab. This way you will not be left hanging around in the dark and vulnerable. If you feel safe and trust your driver, you may want to ask him not to leave until he sees you enter your home.

• And finally... Report any problems. If there is a problem with your taxi you should always report the problem to the police - you may help protect future passengers. If you are going to report a problem, try to remember what kind of car it was, the driver's name and registration number and when and where you were travelling.

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