Malaysian taxis

I just returned from Malaysia and there's a rumor going around that some taxis have an "air fresherner" that spews out a narcotic vapor that knocks passengers out so that the taxi driver can rob them.

[Em]

Wouldn't a taxi driver wearing a gas mask be a bit of a giveaway that something's not right?
If he's not wearing a mask of some description, how does he avoid being knocked out along with his passengers?

[me, no really]

It's been a while since I was in Malaysia, but my memory is that Malaysian taxi drivers are quite able to rob you without resorting to gas unless you know the exact route to where you are going. Of course, that isn't limited to Malaysia necessarily by any means.

me

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by Em

Wouldn't a taxi driver wearing a gas mask be a bit of a giveaway that something's not right?
If he's not wearing a mask of some description, how does he avoid being knocked out along with his passengers?

Although the rumour is patently ridiculous, some taxi cabs require passengers to travel in the back of the cab, and there is a sliding glass partition between the passengers and the front of the cab for privacy. I suppose, whilst not completely airtight, such a thing might protect the driver from being overcome by the gas before the passenger.

[DarkFeline]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

Although the rumour is patently ridiculous, some taxi cabs require passengers to travel in the back of the cab, and there is a sliding glass partition between the passengers and the front of the cab for privacy. I suppose, whilst not completely airtight, such a thing might protect the driver from being overcome by the gas before the passenger.

Well there's no such taxis with glass partitions here in Malaysia, and I've certainly never heard a rumour like that before.

People have one heck of an imagination, eh?