NYC proposes rules to put the brakes on sleepy taxi drivers

NEW YORK (AP) - Cabbies will have to pull over after driving 12 hours in any 24-hour period under rules proposed by New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission.

Mayor Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) announced the proposed rules Tuesday and said they will keep sleep-deprived taxi drivers off the streets.

Under the new regulations, taxi drivers will not be allowed to pick up passengers for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period. There will be a 72-hour limit in any seven-day period.

Drivers will have to take a break of at least eight hours before they can reset the 12-hour work clock and begin picking up fares again.

De Blasio calls the proposed rules "a practical and prudent approach."

The taxi commission will hold a hearing on the proposals on June 23.