‘You need to get out, your p**** smells': Radio star breaks down after distressing cab ride encounter
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A routine taxi ride home took a shocking turn for a well-known Australian radio personality, sparking outrage and swift action from authorities.
What unfolded in the early hours of the morning has sparked a larger conversation about safety and respect.
The incident has also raised questions about accountability within the transport industry.
A taxi driver in Adelaide was dismissed after allegedly making an offensive remark to former radio host Ali Clarke, who later shared her distressing experience on social media.
Clarke, who previously co-hosted *Mix 102.3*'s breakfast show, became emotional as she recounted the incident in a video.
‘He said, “You need to get out, your p**** smells”,’ she told her followers, describing the moment she was refused service while attempting to get home late at night.
She had been leaving a Woman of the Year awards function at SkyCity when she hailed a cab on North Terrace around 1:30 am.
Her husband, Matt Clarke, had attended the event with her, where she was a finalist in the Inspiration of the Year category, but he had left earlier.
As she provided her address, the driver allegedly cut her off, telling her the fare was too short and demanding she get out.
She offered to tip him, but he insisted she find another taxi, claiming he had been waiting outside the casino for 40 minutes.
When Clarke took a photo of the driver and his identification details, he allegedly became verbally abusive, making the offensive remark that left her feeling shaken and humiliated.
‘People who know me, know I’m not one to cry wolf. I can honestly say I’ve never felt more alone and exposed as tonight,’ she wrote in her caption.
Clarke reported the driver to 13cabs, who swiftly responded by removing him from their network.
‘The driver involved in the incident has been removed from our network,’ a spokesperson stated.
‘We have spoken with Ms Clarke directly and provided video footage of the incident to the South Australian regulator, responsible for handling such matters.’
‘Passenger safety is our highest priority, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of service and professionalism for all our passengers.’
The Taxi Council South Australia also condemned the incident, pointing out that it is illegal for drivers to refuse short fares.
On social media, Clarke thanked 13cabs for their swift response and expressed gratitude for the messages of support she had received.
‘Thank you to everyone who has reached out, and to those who’ve shared your similar stories, I’m sorry,’ she wrote.
‘Whilst I take no joy from anyone losing their job—especially if others depend on that wage—I am glad action has been taken so that maybe the next time something like this happens, others feel like they can speak up.
‘And we should. It shouldn’t take me being an ex-radio person for this to become a discussion.’
Reflecting on the incident, Clarke admitted that despite considering herself resilient, she was deeply affected by the ‘vile’ and ‘sexual’ nature of the comments.
‘I think I’m pretty tough, but it was just that vile sexual nature of it,’ she said.
‘I thought we were better than that.’
She also noted the timing of the incident, which occurred on International Women’s Day, adding to her disappointment.
‘On International Women’s Day I’ve never felt sadder.’
Watch the full video below.
With incidents like this sparking wider discussions about safety in public transport, do you think enough is being done to protect passengers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
What unfolded in the early hours of the morning has sparked a larger conversation about safety and respect.
The incident has also raised questions about accountability within the transport industry.
A taxi driver in Adelaide was dismissed after allegedly making an offensive remark to former radio host Ali Clarke, who later shared her distressing experience on social media.
Clarke, who previously co-hosted *Mix 102.3*'s breakfast show, became emotional as she recounted the incident in a video.
‘He said, “You need to get out, your p**** smells”,’ she told her followers, describing the moment she was refused service while attempting to get home late at night.
She had been leaving a Woman of the Year awards function at SkyCity when she hailed a cab on North Terrace around 1:30 am.
Her husband, Matt Clarke, had attended the event with her, where she was a finalist in the Inspiration of the Year category, but he had left earlier.
As she provided her address, the driver allegedly cut her off, telling her the fare was too short and demanding she get out.
She offered to tip him, but he insisted she find another taxi, claiming he had been waiting outside the casino for 40 minutes.
When Clarke took a photo of the driver and his identification details, he allegedly became verbally abusive, making the offensive remark that left her feeling shaken and humiliated.
‘People who know me, know I’m not one to cry wolf. I can honestly say I’ve never felt more alone and exposed as tonight,’ she wrote in her caption.
Clarke reported the driver to 13cabs, who swiftly responded by removing him from their network.
‘The driver involved in the incident has been removed from our network,’ a spokesperson stated.
‘We have spoken with Ms Clarke directly and provided video footage of the incident to the South Australian regulator, responsible for handling such matters.’
‘Passenger safety is our highest priority, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of service and professionalism for all our passengers.’
The Taxi Council South Australia also condemned the incident, pointing out that it is illegal for drivers to refuse short fares.
On social media, Clarke thanked 13cabs for their swift response and expressed gratitude for the messages of support she had received.
‘Thank you to everyone who has reached out, and to those who’ve shared your similar stories, I’m sorry,’ she wrote.
‘Whilst I take no joy from anyone losing their job—especially if others depend on that wage—I am glad action has been taken so that maybe the next time something like this happens, others feel like they can speak up.
‘And we should. It shouldn’t take me being an ex-radio person for this to become a discussion.’
Reflecting on the incident, Clarke admitted that despite considering herself resilient, she was deeply affected by the ‘vile’ and ‘sexual’ nature of the comments.
‘I think I’m pretty tough, but it was just that vile sexual nature of it,’ she said.
‘I thought we were better than that.’
She also noted the timing of the incident, which occurred on International Women’s Day, adding to her disappointment.
‘On International Women’s Day I’ve never felt sadder.’
Watch the full video below.
With incidents like this sparking wider discussions about safety in public transport, do you think enough is being done to protect passengers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
