Chicago cracks down on cabdrivers

CHICAGO, July 5 (UPI) -- If disciplinary actions against Chicago's cabdrivers continue on the same pace, citations will be up 21 percent and fines will rise 68 percent from 2006.

From Jan. 1 to June 26, more than 2,600 citations and $280,246 in fines have been issued to cabdrivers for everything from unclean or damaged vehicles to reckless driving and abusive behavior, The Chicago Sun-Times reported.

In all of 2006, City Hall issued 4,289 citations and $333,504 in fines.

Three drivers have had their licenses revoked, two more have been suspended and 30 renewals denied this year.

Consumer Services Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey told the Sun-Times that the number of complaints is up from 7,445 during all of last year to 5,063 so far this year.

"More passengers are filing complaints about talking on cell phones and after drivers refuse to accept credit cards," McCaffrey said in the newspaper article. "They may be more aware that these rules are in place and that all they need to do is call 311 to file a complaint. It's also possible that passengers are frustrated with cab service."