In 2026, female Bolt drivers in South Africa face significant risks from taxi violence and passenger robberies. They employ strict safety protocols, including using the in-app Driver SOS button, avoiding high-risk areas, and vetting riders by checking their ratings.
Also see: South Africa moves towards a total ban on drinking and driving
Safety measures include keeping doors locked at all times, limiting night driving to known areas, and relying on card payments to avoid cash-related robberies.
Navigating taxi violence and safety
- Vigilance: Drivers need to constantly scan mirrors and assess the risks, especially with crime intensifying, as some riders plot with criminals to target drivers.
- Strategic driving: Drivers advise sticking to familiar areas after 6 PM and avoiding long, high-risk trips at night.
- Passenger vetting: Drivers need to review rider profiles, look at ratings and the number of trips, and sometimes prefer card payments to minimise the risk of robbery.
- Vehicle security: Doors must be locked immediately upon passenger entry, and windows must be kept up in suspicious areas.
Also see: 3 Besties driving from London to Cape Town decline help from Toyota SA
Bolt has also introduced self-defence and anti-hijacking training sessions for its female driver-partners in Johannesburg. According to a statement by Bolt South Africa, “this initiative reflects the e-hailing firm’s commitment to equipping drivers, especially women, with the essential skills to navigate South Africa’s unique safety challenges.”
Also see: Manual or automatic: The pros and cons of each type
Feature Image: Gettys
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
