Violence against cab drivers is on the rise

Yes violence against cab drivers is on the rise, and not just locally, but world wide.

In KwaZulu-Natal South Africa a driver was shot in what is believed to be a random attack, while sitting in a cab stand.

In Melbourne, Australia a 23-year-old Indian taxi driver was verbally abused and attacked by a passenger here, latest in a series of targeting cabbies from South Asian countries.

Lakhvir Singh who picked up a passenger late night on weekend was attacked by the commuter when he got out of the car to close the door left open by the man.

In St Louis the St. Louis police are still searching for a stolen taxi after the assailant robbed the driver and forced him to strip before taking his cab.
The incident happened about 1:30 a.m.

Tuesday. Police say the Yellow Cab driver picked up the customer, who robbed the driver of money, then forced him out of the vehicle and told him to disrobe, leaving the man wearing only his underwear.

The customer then sped off in the cab. The driver was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Two teenagers robbed a taxi driver and stole his taxi in a remote area east of the Jeddah expressway.1st Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq, security spokesperson of Jeddah Police, said the two 17-year-old boys stopped a taxi at night and asked the driver to take them to the remote area where they attacked him.

The taxi driver reported the robbery and police then arrested the two. They admitted to the charges and have been referred to the Commission for Investigation and Prosecution.

In Northen Echo UK, a Woman saw taxi driver's struggle 6:16pm Tuesday 12th August 2008

A MOTHER has told a court how she saw the fatal struggle between a taxi driver and his passenger.
Cabbie Raymond Quigley died of a heart attack as he tried to restrain Dale Patterson before he could make off without paying his fare, a court has heard.
Mr Quigley, 72, had picked up Mr Patterson, 18, from Newcastle city centre to take him to Sunderland in the early hours of September 2.

All this plus the price of gas, and don't be surprised if the $1. surcharge is dropped like a hot potato soon.