Cabbies Wednesday called for city permission to use their cell phones while on duty - a day after drivers used their mobile devices to help nab a mugger.

Taxi and Limousine Commission regulations prohibit drivers from talking on cell phones - even if they use hands-free gadgets and don’t have a passenger in their car. Violators can be fined.
“New York State law permits hands-free cell phone use for all motorists, so why does the TLC ban it for professional drivers?” New York Taxi Workers Alliance Director Bhairavi Desai said at a Manhattan press conference.

Six cabbies were having a group chat Tuesday morning in violation of the rule when they overheard one of the group, Neeru Singh of Queens, being attacked by a passenger in Chelsea.
One of the cabbies called police, while the group members rushed to Singh’s aid. Based on the information provided by the drivers, police managed to arrest a Bronx woman who allegedly ran from Singh’s cab after choking the rookie driver and attempting to steal her earnings.
Singh and her cell phone pals attending yesterday’s press conference said cell phones are an important safety tool.

“We don’t talk when there is a passenger,” said driver Rajni Tak. “But the phone is always on so if we are in trouble, any of our friends can hear and come to help.”

TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus said in a statement, “Cell phones can be very helpful. . . . Unfortunately, cell phone abuse has resulted in . . . drivers leaving their passengers feeling . . . downright unsafe, which studies agree is a true concern.”

http://www.yellowcabnyc.com/news/127