A whole raft of measures including satellite monitoring, direct telephone links to the emergency services, onboard video cameras and payment card facilities, all intended to improve the safety of taxi drivers, are being promised by the city authorities in Rome. The citys law and order chief, Achille Serra, took the decision following a series of attacks (18 over the past three months) on the drivers of Romes officially licensed white taxis. The victim of the last such attack, in mid December, is still recovering in hospital in a serious but stable condition. While playing down the extent of the problem, Serra called the crimes serious and largely committed by drifters and druggies. Satellite monitoring will be activated once a driver indicates an attack is in progress and as will video cameras for capturing the identity of aggressors. In addition to the above measures the police will increase patrols near taxi pick up points throughout the city.