I drove a taxi in Melbourne Australia for 7 years and actually drove an armed holdup getaway with a sawn off shotgun at the back of my head ... you gotta do whatya gotta do to survive.
I drove cab part time for about a year to help out a buddy, and the worst thing that happened to me was a little old lady (who must have been in her 90's) sat in the back and kicked the back of the front seat all the while yelling for me to drive faster!
She was going to the liquor store...which was where I left her, the charming old bat.
Jeeeez! That was quite an experience to go through, Nigel, and I suspect you were pretty careful not to drive over any bumps, lest that shotgun went off accidentally...in any case, I'm sure the last thing you wanted going through your mind was a load of buckshot!
You were a lucky man...sometimes robbers will "neutralize" any witnesses
, not to mention the chance of being shot by the coppers if a shootout should occur.
Ian