Uber bolstering safety measures for drivers amid carjacking surge
Uber said it is significantly expanding rider verification to give drivers more peace of mind
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Uber Technologies is expanding its safety measures to protect drivers amid a spike in carjackings across the country and a string of high-profile attacks.
The ride-sharing company announced this week it will "significantly" expand a program that verifies a rider's identity either using data sources or documentation starting next year, saying the motivation behind the move is to give drivers "more peace of mind before accepting a trip request."
Uber is adding more safety measures for drivers amid a rise in carjackings. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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| UBER | UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC. | 71.62 | +0.06 | +0.08% |
Ube Technologies, Inc.
"We want every driver and courier to know that we are listening to their needs and taking action," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement.
The move comes after the FBI reported carjackings surged more than 8% last year nationwide, and crime stats from major cities indicate the problem is even worse in 2023.
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In Washington, D.C., carjackings are up this year more than 100% compared to same time last year, with 870 reported so far according to data from the city's Metropolitan Police. Recent incidents show Uber drivers can be vulnerable targets.
Recent reports of attacks on rideshare drivers point to their vulnerabilities on the job. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
FOX 5 in Washington, D.C., reported that police arrested three boys, ages 12, 14 and 15 years old, last week for allegedly assaulting and stealing the car of a ride-hail driver. According to the police report, the kids arranged to be picked up in a Capitol Hill neighborhood and carjacked the victim when he arrived.
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Verifying the identities of the alleged perpetrators might have prevented the attack.
An Uber driver also told FOX 5 last month she was carjacked by a teen after refusing to let him bring his dog on a ride.
Uber is ramping up measures to protect drivers following a string of attacks. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images)
New Orleans has also seen a series of attacks on ride-share drivers. Nola.com reported that last month, three ride-share drivers in the city were carjacked in a single day, and another was stabbed to death by a rider in March.
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In addition to the expansion of the rider-verification program, Uber will also allow drivers to review deactivation decisions and is taking steps to protect drivers from false allegations and unfair ratings from riders.