Mexico Weekly / March 2, 2011
Hundreds of taxi and bus drivers in Mexico City were slapped with fines on Tuesday for not turning on their interior lights, a measure meant to reduce assaults and kidnappings.
Mexico City police officers fined 308 taxi drivers and three microbús drivers 598 pesos ($50) each for not abiding by the law that came into effect Tuesday. Eight taxis were impounded because their drivers did not have permits to operate, Reforma reported Wednesday.
The measure was implemented to prevent theft and sexual assaults aboard public transportation, and requires interior lights to be on when there is no sunlight, even if taxis or buses are not carrying passengers.
“It's not about giving fines to get income; it's about offering security to people who ride in taxis, so whatever is happening inside the car is visible,” Mexico City Police Chief Manuel Mondragón said. “Often times, taxi drivers are colluding with criminals.”
According to the capital Attorney General's Office (PGJDF), the number of assaults on taxis rose from 772 in 2006 to 1,850 in 2010, a 139 percent increase. Fifty-eight percent of thefts on taxis are perpetrated against women riding alone.
Official figures show that most assaults occur from 6 p.m. to midnight, and Tuesday and Friday are the days when most crimes are reported
The PGJDF recommends commuters to only board taxis if they have their interior lights on and if their “tarjetón” (permit) is clearly visible.
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