Work-Related Violent Deaths in the US Taxi and Limousine Industry 2003 to 2013: Disparities Within a High-Risk Working Population.

Abstract

We describe the magnitude and distribution of violent work-related deaths among taxi and limousine drivers, a high-risk population. We analyzed rates using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) for all violent work-related deaths in the taxi and limousine industry from 2003 to 2013. We described demographics, work characteristics, and other injury details, examining temporal trends for nativity and race/ethnicity. Men (adjusted rate ratio [RRadj] 6.1 [95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-14.1]), blacks (RRadj 2.3 [95% CI 1.6-3.4]), Hispanics (RRadj 2.1 [95% CI 1.3-3.4]), and drivers in the South (RRadj 2.7 [95% CI 1.9-3.9]) had significantly higher fatality rates than comparison groups. Over time, the rates remained substantially higher compared with all workers. The taxi and limousine industry continues to face a disproportionately dangerous working environment. Recommended safety measures implemented uniformly by cities, companies, and drivers could mitigate disparities.