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Taxi & Limousine Commission Looks To Revamp 'Trouble Lights'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City cabs will soon receive new "trouble lights."

Currently, drivers can activate the 4-inch circular orange lights, which are seen at the front and back of the cars, by flipping a switch to alert police when they are in danger.

"Very few people on the street know what it is, and I'm not sure that all law enforcement knows what it is when it's on," Taxi & Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.

Taxi & Limousine Commission Looks To Revamp 'Trouble Lights'

Joshi said new lights aimed at better grabbing the attention of police will replace the current lights on taxis, delivery cars and green cabs -- some 48,000 vehicles in all.

"Going forward, drivers will have a new defense against assault: bright, recognizable trouble lights that can take meaningful minutes off of law-enforcement response time," Joshi said.

The TLC and NYPD are working to finalize a standard light.

"PD has actually shown us a few alternatives, and it's LED and there's a small flashing element to it," Joshi said.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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