Are Ridesharing Services Dangerous?

A high number of “ridesharing” drivers' arrests in the San Francisco Bay Area has officials concerned about the safety of such practices.

Since July 10, San Francisco International Airport officials have taken into custody seven such drivers, according to Bay City News.

Ridesharing companies, such as San Francisco-based Lyft, SideCar and Uber, have become a phenomenon of late, spreading to places like Los Angeles, Boston and New York City.

The companies are built around smartphone applications that allow users to call for a ride from drivers who operate their personal cars, but usually opt to participate in the service to make some extra money.

Uber is slightly different, pairing up users with practiced limousine drivers. It recently launched UberX, which allows citizen drivers to take part as well.

The apps are based on global positioning satellite technology. They measure distance traveled and suggest payment amounts, according to Reuters.

In December 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission began discussing steps to regulate the services, after cab drivers and state and national organizations spoke out about a lack of public safety.

Licensed taxi drivers argue that “ridesharing” is unsafe because drivers are not necessarily licensed, are not subject to vehicle inspections and do not have proper insurance like normal cab companies. They also note that the services take business away from properly licensed drivers.

A group of taxi drivers organized at SF City Hall earlier this week to protest the companies and urge the CPUC to prevent them from operating.

“Those unlicensed drivers are road bandits,” one protester said at the rally this week, according to Venture Beat. “We are the real community drivers.”

Just hours after the protest, the CPUC reached a decision that allows ridesharing companies to stay in operation, but imposes greater restrictions.

Companies must now be licensed through the CPUC, establish a driver training program, implement a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, adopt a stricter insurance policy and drivers must undergo criminal background checks, Venture Beat reported.

Tell us in the comment section below:

• Would you take or have you taken a ride with a one of these ridesharing services?