On a serious note, with the talk of taxi pricing...

[MikeyNYC]

honest question here: where is the cross over? When does a "friend" that you've known for many years become an illegal taxi? Agreed, I don't get into just any white plate, but if someone I know happens to be driving, is that different? If we get into an accident, am I not covered just because I'm a visitor and the assumption of the law?

[captaind]

honest question here: where is the cross over? When does a "friend" that you've known for many years become an illegal taxi? Agreed, I don't get into just any white plate, but if someone I know happens to be driving, is that different? If we get into an accident, am I not covered just because I'm a visitor and the assumption of the law?

You'd have to PROVE your relationship to the driver. When I'm in the jeep (white plate) and Linston is driving I can prove my residency history and relationship to him. I'm also insured to drive it.

When he's driving in the red plate the "off duty" sign is in the window.

One time recently I was in Ricardo's car (my son in law) and we were stopped in a routine document check. The officer asked him in patios who I was. I immediately answered in patois "i'm his father in law". We were free to go with no issues.

But the key here you'd HAVE TO PROVE a real relationship with the driver.

Cap

[Accompong]

I think there are two issues here. First, "If we get into an accident, am I not covered?" Like Cap said, "you would have to prove a relationship to be covered". Being covered would probably not happen if you were not related as insurance companies look for any loophole not to cover. You're being a visitor would probably disqualify you immediately.

Secondly, I travel frequently in white plated cars where I live in the interior but I do it at my own risk. There are few Red Plates in rural Jamaica especially in sparsely populated areas. A lot of the time I am not paying taxi fares either. If someone is going to Santa (the town near where I live), I tag along and chip in for the petrol. I am under no illusions that I am safe but my friends do drive cautiously or I don't ride with them.

As Rob says, "Use a Red Plate Taxi". It is the best policy. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere around where I live if I had to always use one, however.

Peace and Guidance