Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Even though there's a mandate for driver controlled passenger doors, they either don't work right, or the driver was actively at fault. (I assume) that cab doors are the same as all modern cars and automatically lock when the car exceeds 3mph. If so, the rear doors would still be locked when the cab stopped. In which case the driver would have to actively unlock the door for an exiting passenger.
I don't know if drivers can selectively unlock the left or right door, but if that feature doesn't yet exist it should.
Giving drivers active control is important because it eliminates the "he jumped out before I could react" excuse.
BTW- drivers also benefit from passenger doors that stay locked until unlocked. It would be somewhat intimidating for those considering robberies or assaults against drivers.
Not ALL modern cars have automatic door locking. My 2011 doesn't, and neither do the 2012, 2013, 2014 versions of my vehicle. I'm sure there are others (I think my dad's 2009 Kia didn't have it). My 2006 had the feature but it was easily configurable/turned off by the owner using a customize mode on the dash.
Even with automatic locks, nothing is stopping the passenger/fare from manually unlocking the door and opening it unless something is installed to prevent such action.