I suppose my advice would be:
While using red plate taxi's during the day...if you like the way a person is driving...ask them for their number. Ask them if they drive at night. If so, call them when you want a taxi after dark. If you can't call a taxi you know...be very careful getting into a red plate at night or at least try to catch the license # in case there is a problem...in this case she didn't get the #. I would say that you're safer if no one else is in the car when you get in (which is why I disagree with the philosophy to NOT get in unless there is another person in the car - front seat OR back seat).
When I need a taxi late at night....I have four or five #'s of friends/drivers who I call to see if they're out. But, usually, they are waiting outside the venue I'm coming out of and I can pick from four or five drivers that I know are safe.
One must be very cautious after dark as far as who to ride with. If something doesn't seem right...don't get into the taxi. Another will be along soon. Especially on the beach road.
Or, one could forego going out after dark...because as wit says "nothing good happens at night" or something like that! LOL
Nikki...would she have been safer if the robber had been sitting in the back seat???
LeeAnne...the two events were unrelated...sorry for the confusion!!!