Recently, a 21 year old student of the University of South Carolina named Samantha Josephson was killed. She had been waiting for her Uber ride to come pick her up, and when a car she thought was her ride pulled up, she got in without thinking. The driver of the car she had gotten into was not her Uber driver. The driver had trapped her in his car, because the child locks in the backseat were on. He killed Josephson and later dumped her body.
Since this incident, many proposals and bills have been introduced. One such bill states that if a person pretends to be a driver for apps like Uber and Lyft, they would be charged with attempted kidnapping. Local governments in South Carolina are wanting to pass their own laws about creating designated areas for people expecting rides to be picked up.
Lawmaker Seth Rose from South Carolina is also trying to pass a bill of his own on this issue. His bill would require drivers for ride sharing apps to have signs on their vehicles, indicating that they are a driver for the company and not an imposter. When they no longer worked for the company, it would also be required that they return the sign.
How do you feel about ride sharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft? Would these bills be effective? How can people using ride sharing apps ensure their own safety before entering their driver’s vehicle?
I think that ride sharing apps are good. There should be more regulations for drivers. People who use ride sharing services can help to ensure their safety by making sure that it is their ride and not just some random murderer.
ReplyDeleteI think that these apps can be a good thing. I also think that more regulations would make them more safe for the passenger and the driver. Uber has a number that both you and the driver receive and you are supposed to check with them before getting in the vehicle. This would help protect the passengers.
ReplyDeleteRiding apps are the way our world gets around. It is a good idea but probably should have more regulations for safety reasons.
ReplyDeleteThese apps are very helpful for people who are looking for new ways to make money and also those who need transportation. This is also helping to decrease the amount of drunk drivers on the road. I'm not sure if the laws will help. The signs sound like a good idea in theory, but also pretty easy to manipulate/find ways around it. Someone looking to kidnap riders could just as easily fake a sign. Uber and Lyft desperately need new means of verification. Costumers of these apps need to make sure the vehicle matches the description, ask the driver who they are picking up, and make sure the doors aren't locked before getting in.
ReplyDeleteI think these apps are very good and a progressive thought to improve the idea of taxis. The signs are a very good idea that will help to keep confusion at a minimum. I do think that there are better ways. It is also important to ask the lyft driver their name before you enter the car. If they do no answer with the same name that is listed on the app, then of course do not get in the car.
ReplyDeleteI think ridesharing apps are good and make it simple for people to get from place to place while also making it easier for people to get jobs. I think cars for the service need to have signs on them saying they’re a car for the service. To make it safer, people need to make sure the car matches the description in the app and ask the driver for their name before getting in.
ReplyDeleteI believe their should be more regulations on these types of transportation companies. People can easily take advantage of these and easily attack someone. More regulations will ensure more peoples safety.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it is absolutely terrifying that there exists no legislation like this already! I love and appreciate Uber, and have used it personally many times while travelling. I would understand if these informal taxis were a new phenomenon, but Uber has been around since 2009. I think these bills are common sense and simple enough to implement and enforce, and will thus be efficient and successful.
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