The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) honored 500 of its safest drivers at a ceremony in Queens in April, as well as bases, fleets, and accessibility leaders for their outstanding safety, service, and commitment to providing transportation for those who use wheelchairs.
The gathering, which was held at the Queens Theater in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, was the 9th in the Honor Roll’s history, and the first in-person ceremony since 2019. Ceremonies during the pandemic were held remotely, and included special recognitions for drivers who had provided transportation for the City’s emergency workers as well facilitating vaccinations.
All 500 of the drivers, who represent every borough and 78 nations of origin, have gone four or more years without crashes involving a fatality or injury, have no traffic violations and no violations of TLC safety-related rules. Collectively, they have completed 7.4 million trips since January 1, 2019.
“Our taxi and for-hire drivers are the lifeblood that keep New York City’s heart pumping, and these honorees do it all with top-notch professionalism and safety first,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “In a bustling city, filled with people that are constantly on the go, we all too often forget to thank the men and women who get us where we need to go safely, and I’m thrilled we are taking the time today to do just that… for doing such a great job keeping New York City moving and out of harm’s way.”
“The TLC Honor Roll represents the absolute safest drivers on the planet,” added Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi. “Full time professional driving in NYC is a skill and these are the masters. Thanks to the hard work of Commissioner Do and the entire TLC team this event is now back in person, bringing together TLC licensees and their families to celebrate all the great work they do.”
“Most New Yorkers take it for granted that when they enter a TLC-licensed vehicle that they will have a safe, uneventful trip,” noted TLC Commissioner David Do. “Our Honor Roll drivers embody the commitment and care underlying that confidence, and I am so proud of them.”
This year’s Safest Driver honoree, Patricia Ramirez, has been a TLC driver for six years, and has a spotless record from both TLC and the State DMV. In 2022, she completed 2,393 trips. Staten Island’s Matamoros Car Service is the Safest Base, with only one incident last year out of a fleet of 21 vehicles.
“Today, we honor drivers who get New Yorkers where they need to go – safely – each and every day,” said NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “These honorees have demonstrated a commitment to road safety and act as an example to which all New York’s road users should aspire.”
Source: NYC TLC
