Saturday, February 28, 2026

Taxi driver attacks passengers who asked him not to use phone

There are no statistics to back up the claim, but personal observation by this correspondent has led to the conclusion that taxi drivers are among the worst drivers in Mexico.

Not only are they ill-trained but habits such as texting and speaking on cell phones while driving — some even watch videos on dash-mounted screens — put many people at risk.

But complaining doesn’t necessarily accomplish anything, as a couple of passengers in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, discovered this week. When they asked the driver to stop using his phone and focus on driving instead, he didn’t take the request calmly.

Instead, he physically assaulted them. The passengers got out of the vehicle with the aid of passersby and their attacker fled the scene.

The unidentified driver and his cab — number 02-968 — are being sought by state traffic police in the resort destination after a formal complaint was filed.

Traffic regulations forbid the use of mobile phones while driving except when the driver is using hands-free devices or a speakerphone.

Source: Quadratín (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
newspapers with El Mencho's face on the front page

Mexico’s week in review: The fall of El Mencho

1
Mexico's most wanted criminal is dead, his cartel is leaderless and the race to replace him has already begun — here's your guide to the week that changed Mexico's security landscape.
Mexican marines inspect a burned car in Puerto Vallarta

In the wake of another fallen cartel leader, 10 reasons why this time could be different: A perspective from our CEO

15
After the fall of a major cartel leader, conventional wisdom predicts more violence. Mexico News Daily's CEO makes the case for why this time could genuinely be different.
The Mexico City skyline with a skyscraper in the foreground

Mexico’s economic growth outlook improves as Banxico, OECD lift forecasts

1
Mexico's central bank and one of the world's leading economic organizations raised their 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.6% and 1.4% respectively, offering cautious optimism after Mexico's sluggish 2025 performance
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity