With the panic button, driver and passenger safety increases!

The panic button application, which was implemented due to the increase in theft, extortion, injury and death incidents against taxi drivers, started to be used extensively in taxis as of June 2024.

Evaluating the safety and psychological effects of panic buttons placed in commercial taxis, Occupational Health and Safety Program Head Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan stated that "It is important for the safety of both the taxi driver and the passenger to operate the panic button in case of any negative incident in taxis, and to intervene by the nearest aid teams in case of any risk to the health or safety of the taxi driver or passenger."

Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services Occupational Health and Safety Program Head Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan evaluated the safety and psychological effects of the panic buttons placed in commercial taxis by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Stating that this system is an important step in terms of safety for taxi drivers and passengers, Dr. Kağan expressed that "The 'panic button', which has recently been expanded by IMM to commercial taxis, has been an important step for occupational safety in the taxi sector. Thus, it is important for the safety of both the taxi driver and the passenger to activate the panic button in case of any negative incident in taxis, and to intervene by the nearest aid teams in case of any risk to the health or safety of the taxi driver or passenger."

How effective will it be against panic button attacks?

Evaluating how effective the panic button application can be in preventing attacks on taxi drivers, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan stated that "According to the statement, when the panic button is pressed, 'TAXI S.O.S' lights up, and it is reported to the police units and 153 Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. When reported, the nearest teams are the police, if it is the police, and if it is the gendarmerie, the gendarmerie comes to the scene and intervenes. The intervention of the nearest security forces as soon as possible can be a very effective situation in terms of attacks.”

The effect of measures on the sense of trust...

Pointing out the effect of such measures on the sense of trust, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan stated that "When we look at the psychological effects of this practice on taxi drivers and passengers, it makes both of them feel safe. However, if the taxi driver or passenger thinks that this button is useless or not effective, we can say that it will have a neutral effect. At this point, if there is a passenger or taxi driver who has experience that there is no intervention when this button works, this time this will have a negative psychological effect. For this reason, the intervention of this button should work well and there should be no incident that indicates that it is not effective."

Suggestions for solutions for false alarms!

Referring to the possible accidental pressing of the panic button, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan continued her remarks as follows: "A system has been established in such a way that even if the panic button is accidentally pressed, the police team will be sent to the scene. If a person is really in trouble, when they press the panic button, the police or gendarmerie will intervene at the scene. However, if the police or gendarmerie intervene due to the mistaken pressing of the wrong button, it will cause the security forces to be busy in vain. For this reason, some extra security measures can be taken, such as sending a second notification that there is a misprint or remotely controlling the crime scene. As far as it is stated, when the button is pressed, the alert goes to the call center, the call center checks it from the taxi camera and reports it to the nearest security forces accordingly. If the security forces are called to intervene in case the wrong button is pressed frequently, after a while, when there is a real incident, it may think that it is fake and cause it to intervene slowly and not be effective. For these reasons, it seems that it is better to support the panic button system with various systems such as vehicle tracking system and in-car camera system."

What happens when the panic button is pressed?

According to the explanations, when the driver presses the panic button, the signal will be transmitted to the call center, and the panic button can activate the camera on the driver's screen and transfer the situation in the taxi to the alarm center. Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan said that "The alarm center will also inform the nearest security unit where the taxi is located, and it will be ensured that it intervenes in 15 minutes at the latest."

Taxi drivers should be trained for effective use of technology...

Stating that it is important to take advantage of the developing technology for the occupational safety of taxi drivers and to make it a legal obligation to have these technological systems in all taxis, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan concluded her remarks as follows: "In addition, it is of particular importance to conduct trainings and awareness-raising programs for taxi drivers in order to use these technological applications effectively and efficiently. It is also important to provide training to taxi drivers on how to protect themselves against dangerous people in case of risks where technological devices do not work."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)