Operation Bright Eyes Aims to Shield NYC Taxi Drivers from Fraud

On July 22, 2025, the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers rolled out Operation Bright Eyes, equipping 500 cabs with front, rear and interior camera systems to give drivers concrete video proof against staged crashes, bogus injury claims and other scams ABC7 New York.

A viral dash-cam clip from last year on the Belt Parkway in Queens highlighted the urgency of the effort—authorities say organized rings have been orchestrating “crash for cash” schemes that prey on drivers and insurers ABC7 New York.

Partnering with American Transit and Display Ride, the federation is covering the roughly $300 per-unit cost and will centrally archive all footage, aiming to dismantle what it calls a “billion-dollar fraud machine” that drives up premiums and leaves innocent drivers sidelined during investigations ABC7 New York.

Fernando Mateo, NYSFTD spokesman, summed it up: “We can’t carry guns or knives to defend ourselves, so these cameras are our weapons—and we’re hunting the truth. If you’ve been part of this criminal game, we see you now.” Source:

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