Local cab driver talks about safety after weekend incident in Winton Hills

CINCINNATI - According to the federal government, being a cab driver is one of the most dangerous jobs you can have.

Mulugeta Shiferaw, the cab driver injured on Saturday after police said he was found in the trunk of his taxi after missing for nine hours, is not alone in facing this type of danger.

Trans-Cab Driver Doug Hoskins has been a cab driver for 14 years.

"I make sure my trunk release is properly working, I keep water in case I need to hydrate myself, I keep a pocket knife inside my bookbag sleeve in case I need to cut myself loose from being tied up," Hoskins said.

Experience has taught Hoskins hard lessons. Most importantly, he suggests that cab drivers not carry a lot of cash on them. It just increases their chance at being robbed.

"I believe before drivers are put into these cars, there should be a training course," he said.

Hoskins has been involved in four dangerous situations as a cab driver. One time, he was robbed at gunpoint by two men.

"You can't read it all the time though, there's that one person that pushes you off guard," he said.

Hoskins said a lot of incidents actually go unreported. Some incidents like petty theft aren't worth reporting, or there's no way to trace the people involved after they get out of the car.