Work-related violence experienced by urban taxi drivers

This study measured violence (physical assault, robbery, or weapon confrontation) in taxi drivers, and determined socio-demographic/work factors associated with violence.

In 2010, 130 taxi drivers, working in a large city in the Western US, were administered a survey evaluating workplace violence events.

The study population was male (94%), mean age 45, married (54%), foreign-born (55%), with 24% speaking Arabic at home. Drivers drove at night (51%), for an average of 9.7 years and 41 hr/week. Almost half reported a history of violence during their driving careers: physical assault, weapon confrontation, or robbery. In the prior 12 months, 12% were physically assaulted, 8% robbed, and 6% confronted with a weapon. Night drivers reported more assaults over their lifetime compared to day drivers (mean = 1.64 [sd 4.29] vs. mean = 0.53 [sd 1.05], P = 0.047).

Taxi drivers experience violence at work. Strategies are needed to prevent violence especially in night drivers.