TLC & Vision Zero Partners Join To Host Second Annual Safe Driver Honor Roll Event

TLC Lauds Safest Taxi Fleets & For-Hire/Commuter Van Bases for Sharing Vision Zero Goal

"Accessibility Leaders" Highlighted For Outstanding Service to Persons with Disabilities

New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Chair Meera Joshi recently hosted the TLC's second annual Vision Zero Safe Driver Honor Roll event to spotlight the achievement of 256 of the city's safest TLC-licensed drivers. In recognition of the crucial safety role played by the businesses that dispatch our taxis, For-Hire Vehicles (FHV) and commuter vans, the event also served to fete a select group of outstanding, Vision Zero- committed taxi fleets and FHV/van bases with superior safety records. This year, the TLC also honored drivers who have gone above and beyond the call in providing outstanding accessible service to persons with disabilities.

Participating in the celebratory event, held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College's TriBeCa Performing Arts Center, were such government partners as Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) Commissioner Victor Calise, Department for the Aging (DFTA) Commissioner Donna Corrado, NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan, Commissioner for the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Nisha Agarwal, City Council Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez, and City Council Public Safety Committee Chair Vanessa Gibson. Other distinguished participants included Amy Cohen, a founding member of the advocacy organization Families for Safe Streets; and noted disability advocate Ronnie Raymond.

In February 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the Vision Zero Action Plan, a roadmap of initiatives designed to move the city toward the urgently-important goal of zero traffic fatalities by the year 2024. As one of three lead agencies - along with the NYPD and Department of Transportation - charged with the achievement of this realistic goal, the TLC has implemented numerous safety-focused initiatives, among them a commitment to recognize the safest TLC-licensed drivers on the road by creating a Vision Zero Driver Safety Honor Roll.

The 256 professionals represent a truly elite group. In choosing its honorees, the TLC reviewed the records of all of all its more than 135,000 driver licensees, and identified 256 drivers who have, over five or more years, not had a single crash involving injury, a single traffic violation, or a single violation of TLC safety- related rules. The list of honorees, who will each have a distinguishing "Vision Zero Driver Safety Honor Roll" card to display in their vehicles to let their passengers know they have a safe driver at the wheel.

"It is one of the great pleasures I have as TLC commissioner to celebrate the accomplishments of our licensees who have demonstrated that they are the very best of the best at what they do," said TLC Commissioner and Chair Meera Joshi. "Safety is at the beginning, the middle and the end of everything we do as regulators and licensees, and these professionals have set a standard for all others to aspire to and strive for. Please, keep up the great work, and don't hesitate to encourage your colleagues to seek the honor and distinction that comes with being represented on this important day.

"I am also grateful today to the fleet and base operators who have so willingly helped us to reinforce the messages of Vision Zero, because your support is absolutely essential to our success. Last but not least, we are putting an elite group of outstanding providers of accessible transportation in the spotlight today, so they may receive well-deserved accolades for their contribution to making our city a place where all may live, work, play and travel with equal comfort and convenience."

"There are many unsung contributors that are helping to make New York the most accessible city in the world," said MOPD Commissioner Victor Calise. "Given the opportunity, I like singling them out and thanking them, and this very much includes the 10 yellow taxi drivers we're honoring today, who between themselves provided 4,598 Accessible Dispatch trips over the past year. These ten professionals should be publicly-recognized for their dedication, their compassion and their willingness to promote accessible taxis. Thank you from the Mayor, from the entire community of people with disabilities, and from me personally."

Visitors may learn more about the Vision Zero Driver Safety Honor Roll at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/industry/tlc_safety_honor_roll.shtml

2015 Vision Zero Driver Safety Honor Roll by the Numbers:

256 drivers are on the 2015 TLC Safety Honor Roll.
106 drive yellow taxis.
147 drive black cars or livery cars.
4 are licensed to drive yellow taxis and black cars or livery cars.
7 drive commuter vans.
30 drive Boro Taxis ("Green Cabs").
The average honor roll driver has held a TLC license for 14 years.
179 of today's honorees will join the TLC Safety Honor Roll for the first time this year, with the remainder reprising their previous honors.

Facts about 2015 Safety Honor Roll Fleets, Bases & Van Authorities:

The honorees include five yellow taxi fleets, 15 car service bases (five small, five medium, and five large), and three commuter van companies.
These companies have been in business for an average of 12 years.
11 of these companies provide street hail service, including both yellow taxis and green Boro Cabs.
Each type of For-Hire Vehicle base is represented: five black car, eight livery, and two luxury limousine.

Facts about 2015 Accessibility Leaders:

10 yellow taxi drivers will be honored for their superior service in the TLC's Accessible Dispatch Program.
Each TLC Accessibility Leader provided at least 300 Accessible Dispatch rides in the past year.
Combined, these 10 drivers provided 4,598 Accessible Dispatch trips in the past year.

About the NYC TLC:
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) was created in 1971, and is the agency responsible for the regulation and licensing of almost 200,000 yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles, their drivers, and the businesses that operate and support their industries. It is recognized as the largest and most active taxi and For-Hire Vehicle regulatory body in the United States.

To find out more about the TLC, or to review its rules, regulations and procedures, we encourage you to visit our official Web site at WWW.NYC.GOV/TAXI or contact 311/311 Online.

Referenced Images:

Safety Honor Roll:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/images/features/safety_honor_roll_image.jpg