How do you not get conned off by a taxi driver?

Most any decent taxi company can give you the approximate fare when you call for the cab. Chances are good though, that the fare will be a bit higher than the price you were quoted. This is because cabs fares are calculated by mileage and time. When you're sitting at a red light, that meter is still running. When you're driving slow and go in heavy traffic, the meter doesn't care. It just keeps clicking away. Most modern meters will allow the driver to stop the time while the car is not moving. If the driver is a nice guy and you get stuck at a railroad crossing, he mightstop the meter for you. But as soon as the car starts moving again, the meter knows it and restarts it's self.