As much as some New Yorkers complain that cabbies drive aggressively, a disturbing number of passengers don’t wear seat belts in taxis.
Only about 35 percent of yellow-cab fares say they buckle up on their rides, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commission. That compares with 90 percent of passengers who do buckle up in private cars.
The TLC hopes to close the safety gap with new ads posted in the backseats of cabs that remind passengers about the importance of buckling up, reports The New York Post.
“Some of the safest drivers in the world are behind the wheel of New York City taxicabs, but accidents do still happen, and more than half of all passengers don’t buckle up,” TLC chief David Yassky said in a videotaped message. “We want you to make it to your destination without any bumps or bruises.”
Some New Yorkers told the Post they do wear seat belts in taxis, depending on the hack’s driving. Others claim they never even knew taxis had seat belts – a misconception Yassky hopes to change with the new ads.
Allie Maltese, a 28-year-old cab user who told the Post it never occurred to her in the past to wear her seat belt, said the ads were a good idea.
“People should always wear their seat belts,” she said.
