Robbery-related homicides of taxi drivers in three big cities of Turkey between 1996 and 2006

Objectives: Taxi drivers have the highest prevalence of work-related homicides and the underlying motive for most homicides is robbery. The objectives of this study were to reveal the features of robbery-related homicides of taxi drivers, to evaluate characteristics of murdered drivers and assailants, and to recommend preventive measures. Patients and Methods: We reviewed autopsy, crime investigation, security, and death records about robbery-related murders of taxi drivers in the cities İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir in Turkey between 1996 and 2006. Results: There were 109 robbery-related murders of taxi drivers (all males; mean age 41.6±12 years). Most of the drivers were killed at night and in the evening (n=80, 90.9%; p<0.01) and in the suburbs (n=53, 52.48%; p<0.01). Firearms were the most frequently used weapons (n=60, 55.05%; p<0.01) and most of the fatal injuries were located on the head (n=61, 41.78%; p<0.01). Security measurements in taxicabs were not effective enough to prevent murders of taxi drivers. Conclusion: Safety of taxi drivers can be achieved by utilization of technological safety devices, but an effective solution to this problem is the restriction of civil armament.