Taxi accidents involving migrant drivers have tripled
Increase in Taxi Accidents in 2024: Analysis, Implications, and Regulatory Adjustments
In the year 2024, a notable surge of 50% in road accidents involving taxis has been reported in the region, as highlighted by Alexander Porubenko, Deputy Head of the Monitoring Division at the Regional Automobile Inspection Department.
A notable statistic from these incidents is a doubling in the number of fatalities, with seven lives lost in 2024, compared to three in the previous year. Additionally, 146 individuals sustained injuries, while 105 of these were due to taxi drivers' negligence.
Moreover, the number of accidents attributed to foreign drivers increased by 200%, resulting in one fatality. Remarkably, in 14 out of these 29 accidents, the drivers lacked the necessary authorization to operate taxis. Additionally, almost 500 foreign nationals, who were operating vehicles according to their national driving permits, were found in contravention of local laws.
From the beginning of 2024, there has been a 25% increase in tax livery accidents, resulting in 14 injuries (-13%). Four of these accidents were caused by unauthorized drivers, a decrease of 20%.
The spike in taxi accidents can be linked to the implementation of the "Taxi Law" in 2023, which led many drivers to no longer operate anonymously. "Before the law was enacted, we were unable to identify who these taxi drivers were," noted Porubenko.
Enacted on September 1, 2023, the "Taxi Law" obliges taxi drivers to obtain a working permit, undergo pre-employment and post-employment medical examinations, and routinely check their vehicles' technical condition. Taxi drivers with criminal records and multiple administrative fines are prohibited from working.
Starting from September 1, 2024, taxi drivers will be required to also obtain liability insurance policies. These additional costs could further increase ride fares. To obtain insurance, drivers need a working permit.
This year, the Russian Government passed a law compelling taxi drivers to work exclusively with domestic vehicles. The legislation will come into effect in March 2026. Taxi drivers can only use vehicles produced domestically, such as the Lada range (Granta, Vesta, Iskra, Aura), the Moscow-3 and Moscow-6 models, XCITE X-Cross 7 and X-Cross 8, electric vehicles Evolute i-PRO and i-JOY, among others, that meet the specified localization requirements.
With stricter enforcement, many drivers have taken to the "gray" economy, working illegally. Currently, over 70% of drivers are working without authorization, often accepting orders through messaging apps and social media.
- The surge in taxi accidents in 2024 could potentially impact the health-and-wellness of individuals involved, as reflected in the doubling of fatalities and increase in injuries.
- The science of transportation safety might benefit from investigating the reasons behind the increase in taxi accidents following the implementation of the "Taxi Law" in 2023 and the subsequent rise in authorized drivers.
- The transportation and finance industries may need to consider the implications of the Russian Government's law mandating the use of domestic vehicles by taxi drivers, as it could potentially influence the cost of rides due to the requirement for liability insurance policies and specialized vehicle purchases.
