Increases penalties for assaults of taxicab drivers, livery drivers or for-hire vehicle drivers

BILL NUMBER:S4232A

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to increased penalties for assaults of taxicab drivers, livery drivers and for-hire vehicle drivers

Purpose

Increase penalties for assault of taxi cab, livery, and for-hire drivers.

Summary of provisions

Section 120.05 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 13 to read as; with intent to cause physical injury to a taxicab, livery, or for-hire drivers he or she causes such injury to such person while that individual is in the performance of his or her employment as a taxicab, livery or for-hire driver.

Justification

This act is critical for the better security of taxicab drivers working within the transportation industry of New York state. The current penalties do not suffice with the protection of cab drivers in New York state. These stricter penalties are needed in view of recent taxi and livery driver fatal assaults.

According to data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), deadly assaults claim the lives of more taxicab drivers than any other fatal events. The average rate of taxi cab driver homicides since 1994 has been approximately 34 deaths per year.

While yellow cabs have taken safety precautions by installing bullet proof glass between the driver and passenger, many licensed cabs including all town car services lack the certain installations to provide proper safety. This bill takes the appropriate measures to ensure proper safety to those individuals that effectively provide transportation, and other livery services.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 90th day.