Taxi Drivers Want Cabbie Assault to Be a Felony

Flickr user Marc McGowan

After a dangerous attack on taxi driver Mohammed Chowdhury, Taxi Drivers of America officials are calling for new laws that would make attacking a taxi driver a felony. The proposed Taxi Drivers Protection Law would mandate felony charges on anyone who assaults a cabbie, even if there are only minor injuries. Taxi Workers Alliance executive director Bhairavi Desai told the Daily News, "We want the law to deter crimes against drivers, not have their safety be left solely to luck and miracles."

The attack on Chowdhury was a particularly violent case. On their way to the Bronx, two female passengers slit his throat after he asked one of them to stop urinating in the backseat. "My throat was open," Chowdhury said. "She slashed me from left to right." Both women were charged with felony assault, but under the proposed law, attackers like the "vampire" robber would also automatically be charged with a felony. TLC chairman David Yassky allegedly supports the protection law.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jaya Saxena in News on April 11, 2010 3:15 PM

Comments [rss]

MollzieD

Wow you guys are assholes. and the reason I reason Gothamist news.

My girlfriend literally just got out of this guy, Chowdhury's, cab- said he was the nicest cabbie she's ever had. Believe it or not, some cab drivers are nice, decent, honest, hardworking people who drive fast so they can get our lazy bad-tipping asses to our destinations fast enough so that we don't piss in their cabs or slice them.

gooeyblob

Uh, this is bullshit, who is there left to assault? I'm going to have start using a checklist before I punch anyone:

- No gay dudes

- No police

- No MTA workers

- No cabbies

handsomedevil

Mets fans.

Al_Cool_Dates

No, why? Because of the way they drive and act especially when it comes to a fare. They have little regard for anyone so why should be have any more regard for them beyond a normal person?

bullishnyc

I disagree. Some of these cabbies DESERVE to get the shit beaten out of them.

MrManhattan

I think not assaulting pedestrians and cyclists isn't as much a function of "luck and miracles" as it is a function of proper training, diligence and basic human decency.

ozik

Am I the only one that thought this article was referring to the bicyclist-attacking-the-alleged-bump-and-run?

tsol

I'm all for this, as long as every time a cabbie hits a bicyclist or pedestrian he risks being charged with felony assault (at minimum).

VorneliusCanderbilt

I'm OK with this when it's also a felony to double-charge my girlfriend's credit card when she's alone late at night and saying, "It didn't go through the first time... Run it again!"

unretrofiedforu

Ugh, bourgeoisie problems in a bourgeoisie life - what is one to do?

O yeah, STFU because the bank will easily rescind the charge with no questions ask and jack up fees for the rest of us.

VorneliusCanderbilt

Ohhh, you are like SOOO witty and poignant. You are like, totally awesome and totally better than others b/c you stay true to your proletariat roots... I think you just "won" at Gothamist... Douche!

Wrong, you know nothing, as it has happened on SEVERAL occasions and the bank does not "automatically rescind" charges when it seems to be a pattern... She has been on the phone on multiple occasions for over an hour at a time... But that's not a "real" problem, b/c only you can have "real" problems in this big bad city... Do us all a favor, if it's so tough, and you wanna feel sorry for yourself, move back to Long Island.

Mr Mel

Yeah, but she has an out. Just claim it was a phony charge and the bank will rescind it.

VorneliusCanderbilt

Oh, I know, she has, but it's just such a hassle that she shouldn't have to deal with. It's happened more than once... Uch... Can't they just do it right the 1st time? The TLC was gonna set up some arbitration-type thing over the phone with the cabbie... Like she has time for that!!?

evilnaturedrobot

I don't think cabbies need any more encouragement to drive completely recklessly.

Jen S

Cabbies are city-regulated, serve the public, and are generally vulnerable to attack. I say give it to them. The charge is mainly used as deterrent anyway.