The beating of a taxi driver and theft of his cab on Monday has underscored the risks that taxi drivers take by working late shifts. CBC

Taxi drivers are being warned to be extra vigilant during evening and graveyard shifts, following the theft of a cab early Monday morning in the city's northwest end.

A 30-year-old man has been charged with theft, dangerous driving and assault, after a stolen taxi crashed into a bridge on St. Clair Road and Scarlett Road around 2 a.m. Monday. The driver was arrested while trying to flee after the collision.

Cab driver Michael Olubulmi said that working at night presents its own set of risks.

"If you argue with your customer, you don't know the kind of customer you have," he said. "The only thing is to avoid them and let them go."

Police have not said whether the suspect in the theft case was a customer or not.

Taxi drivers say they try their best to evaluate a person's demeanour when they stop. Jasbir Azr, another driver, said he keeps well aware of the locations of the nearest police stations just in case.

"It's very hard. You just have to take your chances and if I see something wrong, I don't say anything. I stop by police," he said.

Taxi cabs are also outfitted with GPS tracking devices, which can be used to help relocate them in cases of taxi theft.