New program puts cameras in cabs to protect drivers from insurance fraud and scams
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Some taxi drivers in New York City are getting another layer of protection to help crack down on scammers.
On Tuesday, the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers launched "Operation Bright Eyes" to protect drivers from insurance fraud.
The program will equip 500 cabs with front, rear, and interior cameras, with the goal of later expanding to more vehicles within the city's livery and black car industry.
The initiative aims to give drivers video proof when passengers or other drivers falsely claim they were the victims of accidents and injuries.
A viral dash cam video from last year showed what authorities said was a staged car crash on the Belt Parkway in Queens designed to get insurance money.
"For years, powerful crime organizations-lawyers, clinics & scammers have built empires by stealing from taxi drivers and insurance companies," said Fernando Mateo, NYSFTD spokesman. "We're done being victims. We can't carry guns or knives to defend ourselves so these cameras are our weapons, and we're hunting the truth. If you've been part of this criminal game we see you now."
The NYSFTD teamed up with American Transit and Display Ride to raise the money and equip the cabs with the devices.
Each camera costs about $300 and the federation will manage the uploaded files so that all the evidence is documented.
The federation says the "billion-dollar fraud machine" drives up the cost of insurance and financially hurts insurance companies and livery drivers who sometimes lose their privileges to drive until after an investigation is complete.
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