The bus drivers' organization from the National Histadrut published the annual violence report today (Monday) at the 2022 public transportation conference.
Two minors attacked a bus driver in Rehovot // Photo: Police spokespersons
According to the report, until the month of November 2022, there were approximately 4,400 cases of physical or verbal assaults against the drivers while harming their personal safety. According to the data in 2022, 41% of bus drivers in Israel experienced at least one physical assault during the past year. Approximately 17 % of the drivers reported that they had experienced three or more incidents of violence in the past year.
Compared to the drivers' organization report released in January 2021, there is no difference in percentages in the amount of drivers who were physically attacked, but the number of attacks increased significantly due to the increase in bus travel after the Corona crisis.
A bus driver who was attacked and injured, photo: Metropolin
In absolute numbers, the cases of physical assault in 2022 were, as mentioned, about 4,400 cases of assault compared to 3,644 in the report published in 2021.
According to the report's data, 37% of drivers experienced both physical and verbal violence in 2022, a figure almost similar to the survey data in 2021.
About 70% feel insecure
The data of the report indicate that 59% of public transport drivers in Israel experienced at least one incident of verbal violence during the past year, compared to 65% of the drivers who experienced incidents of violence against them in 2021.
A bus built with stones, photo: Metropolin
About 14% of the drivers reported 11 or more cases of verbal violence against them during the year 2022, similar to the cases of verbal violence against them in 2021.
Documentation: A bus driver was attacked after refusing to stop for a passenger at a red light
In the survey, the drivers were asked how safe they feel in their work.
A very high proportion (69%) of the drivers report a lack of feeling of security in their job in 2022, similar to 2021.
"It's a coup"
The report presents an encouraging figure according to which 68%, about two-thirds of the drivers, reported that the installation of partitions on buses, a struggle that they have waged in the drivers' organization in recent years, bore fruit. 42% of the drivers for whom a partition was installed report that it contributes to their safety. About half of the drivers for whom a partition has not yet been installed , estimate that it will improve their sense of security.
Nidal Al Faki, a bus driver who was attacked,
Shashi Sade, head of the trade union division in the National Histadrut, said: "The National Histadrut started the fight several years ago for the installation of partitions in buses, a step that the current survey indicates contributes to the safety of drivers, prevents violence and improves their sense of personal security. However, the reality today It is that the drivers are afraid to get to their jobs. Unfortunately, this is a scourge."
Israel Ganon, chairman of the bus drivers' organization in Israel from the National Histadrut, said: "The violence on the roads that the public has experienced more strongly in recent days, is the daily lot of bus drivers.
Unfortunately, the bus drivers have become the punching bag of the State of Israel and the survey data shows that there is not a day when dozens of drivers are not attacked.
The new Minister of Transportation must act to promote a clear plan against this violence.
Someone has to stop this madness.
The day when a driver will kill is closer than ever."
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