Ten hours in to the 24-hour D.C. taxi strike, it’s looking like a large percentage of drivers in fact stayed home. As people make their way out of offices to head home and tend to children anxious to begin trick or treating, what will they find? Based on streets we’ve seen around town virtually devoid of D.C. cabs, we’d say that if you have your own car, your drive will most likely be a lot easier than normal. If you were hoping to find a cab, you’re going to have a bad night.

Other media outlets are reporting similar scenes. The Examiner has photos of sad out-of-towners at Union Station, waiting in long lines in the hopes of snagging a taxi. They also point out that getting to Georgetown for the neighborhood’s traditional Halloween festivities without readily available cabs tonight could be especially bad. Thankfully, DCist readers are aware that Georgetown sucks, and don’t have to worry.

The Post quotes a spokesperson for the Taxicab Industry Group, who pronounced the strike “very successful,” though he had no estimate of how many of the city’s 7,500 drivers were participating. “There are very few out there. They’re not in the street,” he said.

The Associated Press notes that at many downtown hotels doormen said they were steering more of their business to limousine companies to fill demand for cars. Fancy.

Let us know what else you notice out there, and if your plans for the evening have changed at all now that you know the strike is real.

Photo by terecico