By Peter Sorkin
State legislation sponsored by Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) to enhance penalties for violent crimes committed against livery cab drivers was signed into law this week by Gov. George Pataki.
The law is designed to speed assistance to victimized drivers and their families.
Since January, a total of 11 New York City livery cab drivers have been killed while on duty. According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, taxi drivers are 60 times more likely to be murdered on the job than any other U.S. worker, including police officers. Taxi drivers are also victims of more violent assaults than any other occupation except police officers and security guards.
