Over a third of taxi users in Lancashire feel unsafe, new university study finds
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
More than a third of taxi passengers in Lancashire say they feel unsafe when using them, according to new research from the University of Central Lancashire.
The study, carried out with Chorley Taxi Association, surveyed over 200 private hire taxi users in the county. The results showed that 36% of respondents had experienced situations that made them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
The most common issue raised was drivers asking personal questions, with nearly half of participants citing it as a concern. Speaking a different language during the journey was mentioned by 35%, while 31% reported feeling uneasy when drivers used speakerphone for personal calls.
Other reasons given included poor driving style, travelling alone, and drivers making inappropriate comments either during or after the trip.
Most respondents were women aged between 26 and 40. The survey did not include rideshare services such as Uber, and was conducted over a one-month period in November last year.
Professor Joanne Westwood, from the University’s Connect Centre for International Research on Interpersonal Violence and Harm, ran the survey with Dr Helen Richardson Foster.
Professor Westwood said: “The research findings are very interesting and even more so because, as far as we know, this is one of the first times that taxi passengers have been asked about their feelings of safety.
“The research has raised many more questions but to have a third of all participants state they felt unsafe is worrying because taxis are a key cog in our transport system and sometimes they are the only transport option for many people.
“What is also interesting is that Lancashire is populated with diverse communities with different ethnicities and who speak many languages, so it is unclear why this makes respondents, who came from a range of ethnic groups, feel unsafe.”
Shaz Malik, Chair of the Chorley Taxi Association, collaborated on the research to confirm their anecdotal knowledge. The owner of Four Sixes’ Taxis in Chorley said: “Every journey in a taxi is a moment of trust especially for women, who too often carry an invisible burden of vigilance when moving through public spaces.
“This research reminds us that safety is not just about physical protection, it is about dignity, respect, and the ethical duty we owe to one another as human beings. For the Chorley Taxi Association, this is a moment to listen, to learn, and to lead. We must ensure that no woman ever feels unheard, unsafe, or unwelcome in a space that should offer peace of mind. True public service demands moral courage, and that is the path we are committed to walking.”
