Taxi Driver Safety

Taxi safety has come to the forefront and become one of the most serious issues facing municipalities worldwide. Too many taxi drivers have been robbed, brutalized and murdered. Cities are now mandating safety regulations to protect the people who work in the world's most dangerous industry.

Gerry Manley was the driving force in having taxi safety mandated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This was the first city in Canada and one of the first cities in the World to recognize the need for taxi driver workspace safety and to address this issue.

In May 2000, the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada legislated the Toronto Municipal Code - Licensing, Owners and Drivers of Cabs Article VIII - Chapter 545, Section 136 I, paragraphs 1 to 5, which requires taxi owners and drivers of cabs to be equipped with an emergency lighting system and a digital camera.

Municipalities should not duplicate another's taxi safety program verbatim. Transportation safety programs are designed to address the specific requirements of a particular city, and each has its own strengths and inherent flaws that may need to be corrected. It is imperative that each city draft its own specifications and customize a program that addresses the needs and requirements of both the drivers and customers in that municipality.

It took twelve years for Gerry Manley working with Toronto City Regulators, City Councillors, the Police department, the taxi industry, and various related companies to implement legislation to safeguard taxi drivers in Toronto. As a result of his experience, Gerry is positive that he can provide a concise, written plan for taxi safety in your city within a few short weeks.

It is important to realize that you require a person with vast experience and knowledge of the taxi industry, policing, dealing with regulators and city councillors. This person must have the ability to bring all facets together and be able to prepare a concise program for City Hall for implementation.