Sick In The Car

The first and most obvious thing is do not let them in. 

  • Sometimes easier said than done. 
  • The signs of a drunk should be easy to spot. 
  • As they walk up to your car/cab this should give you all the information you need.

  1. If you are in a taxi or doing journeys with people prone to car sickness.
  • It is a good idea to have a supply of good quality carrier bags that do not have the holes in the bottom
  • A couple of these rolled up with a rubber band can save many problems later in the journey
  • Give one of these to your suspect potential pucker
  • Fresh air will help but an open car window is also a drain if not all outside your car

  1. There are two types of sickness to deal with.
  • One is genuine illness and the other is alcohol related
  • Beware of projectile vomit
  • A sweet sickly smell of alcohol induced puke will alert you to the cause and the person

  1. It is well to appreciate the difference between the different sorts of sickness and their circumstances:
  • A man will normally tell you that he wants to be sick
  • This gives you the opportunity to pull over safely
  • Women on the other hand will try to hold it together
  • It may well be too late unless she has been given a carrier bag. See above.
  • Children will be the worst sort to be sick, as they are actually ill
  • This will be reflected in the smell

  1. If all of the above is no good and it is too late and the evidence is all over the car you must:
  • Act quickly.
  • The longer its left the more it soaks in.
  • You must use The SAS (Speed Action & Supplies)

  1. A Garage will have everything you need:
  • Disposable gloves (you don’t really want to use your bare hands?).
  • Paper towels (or Newspapers) and a bin nearby.
  • Some warm soapy water and a brush. Get from toilet.
  • Febreze air freshener for the seats.
  • A smell that lingers afterwards can be the trigger for more.

  1. Your plan of action should be as quickly as possible:
  • Remove as much as you can. Gloves and paper towels.
  • Scrub where it was with hot soapy water.
  • Remember all the little nooks and crannies with your brush.
  • Do not use a pressure washer unless you do not plan on using your car for a few days till the seats dry out.
  • Soak up as much as you can with more paper towels. 
  • Spray area with the Febreze or similar to remove smell.

  1. If you need to carry on driving after this event:
  • Newspapers laid thickly where passengers will be sitting.
  • Nothing will be worse than a damp bum knowing why it is damp.
  • A towel tuck in around the seat and over the newspapers will make it more presentable and stop newspaper print getting on clothes.

  1. What to do if you have left it.
  • Basically get professional help like a professional valet
  • Your local taxi firm should have phone numbers of people who can deal with this
  • Remember the longer its left the worse it is