Bulletproof Safety Shields Approved for All City Cabs

Acting after a rash of lethal attacks on cab drivers, the Los Angeles Transportation Commission on Thursday approved the installation of bulletproof safety shields in taxicabs to protect drivers.

The board unanimously approved the proposal that would require all cabs operating in the city to install the bullet-resistant windows in the space above the front seat. It called for 50% of the shields to be installed by February and the rest by next September.

The protection of cabbies has been a major issue since a rash of violence by gun-toting passengers last spring claimed the lives of three drivers and seriously injured four. Some independent drivers and cab companies opposed the shields, complaining they could interfere with their business and block air conditioning to the back seat.