Safer Taxicabs: Fixing a New York Frame of Mind
The yellow taxicab is ubiquitous in New York City. Other cities may have taxis, but not to the extent or density that NYC does with its roughly 40,000 licensed taxi drivers. The humble yellow taxi has, in its own way, become symbolic of a New York way of life. For years, however, taxicab safety has been a thorn in the side of politicians and policy-makers. Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg attempted to solve the taxi problem only to join a long list of former Mayors who failed to have much impact (though pedestrian fatalities did decrease slightly under Mayor Bloomberg). Now, current Mayor Bill De Blasio is taking a different approach and hoping that he can bring about change.
The Problem
One problem with taxicabs in NYC is the level of service they provide for the money they charge. Of all of the major forms of transportation in NYC (walking, subway, bus, etc.), taxis routinely receive the lowest grades for value, service, and safety. People don't feel safe in taxicabs, or safe walking the streets with them. In fact, legitimate legal suits against taxicab companies and drivers are on the due to safety violations, injury, and negligence. Certain initiatives that have worked well in other countries are being considered as ways to effect lasting change – see Vision Zero: How Will It Change New York City?
Perhaps the biggest problem with the taxicab industry comes down to driver quality. There is little to regulate the quality of driver behind the wheel of any given taxi. Given the competitive nature of the business, driving a cab is already a profession that encourages people to take risks to earn better fares. The net result is that bad or under-qualified drivers are taking unnecessary risks that put the public in harms way.
The Statistics
According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), 31% of taxis have major structural defects and 72% fail inspections on the first try, problems that arise due to the average taxi service life being more than 340,000 miles. Taxi condition, however, is only a part of the problem. Drivers, and their motivations for driving, are just as much of a problem.
One of the biggest problems facing the industry is driver turnover. Low wages, stressful working conditions, and lack of opportunity for advancement often means that less experienced drivers end up behind the wheel. Some studies show that up to 50% of drivers leave the industry after just four years. Given that drivers with more than four years of experience have rates of reckless driving and other serious violations that are far below that of novice drivers, it becomes clear why high turnover is such a problem for taxi operators.
The Solutions
There is no single solution to fix the problems that face NYC taxicabs. Rather, any plan that has even a chance at success will have to tackle the problem from many angles. To begin, licensing requirements must be more stringent. Increasing stringency will not only force drivers to perform better, but will raise the value of licensed drivers and create reason for owners to provide better compensation to experienced drivers.
Another part of the solution, which is already in place, is to regulate the quality of the cabs themselves. Cabs cannot, by law, be older than five years of age and, to be put into service, a cab must be brand new. Used cabs cannot be put into service.
Addressing pedestrian and other traffic issues that make it more difficult for taxicabs to navigate safely through NYC is also an important component of making the city safer. Pedestrian jaywalking, for instance, is a major impediment to safety on the roads that is being targeted by the mayor and the NYPD for correction.
Perhaps most important in the grand scheme, however, is New Yorkers themselves. By being proactive about traffic safety, those who live in, work in, and visit the city can make the most difference. Examples of proactive behavior include waiting for crossing signals, crossing only at crosswalks, driving responsibly, and reporting taxicabs that are unsafe or drivers who are dangerous. By working with the city, New Yorkers can help to ensure that traffic-related deaths continue to decline.
Laurence P. Banville founded Banville Law in the interest of helping victims of negligence and traffic accidents. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with others online.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the original author and do not represent the views of Rear View Safety.
