Will Uber’s New Safety Features Be Enough?

New Yorkers have found a cheaper way to get around the city than taxis, but it may not be safer. As of last year, there were more Uber rides than taxi rides in New York City, according to the New York Times. Though the company unveiled new safety measures to help passengers and screen drivers, customers are still at the mercy of Uber drivers who may want to do them harm. Proposed changes may not be enough.

Uber announced last month changes to its app and other steps to try to ensure passenger safety that it says will go into effect this summer, according to the Washington Post.“There are hundreds of thousands of Uber trips in New York City every day,” said John Tucker, claims manager of Kaplan Lawyers PC, which represents plaintiffs in personal injury cases. “Given how many people put their lives in Uber’s hands the company really needs to step up their game when it comes to safety.”

• The app will allow you to provide alerts for up to five "trusted contacts."
• After a ride is requested, the system will prompt you to share the information with your contacts.
• Uber’s system will notify them when you arrive at your destination.
• There will be a "911 assistance" (or “panic button”) feature connecting passengers to emergency services with one tap. Dispatchers will know your real-time location and trip details.
• Uber will run criminal and motor vehicle background checks on all drivers annually. Currently that’s done only in jurisdictions where it’s legally required, which doesn’t include New York.

Uber states that in the future it plans on using technology to search information that would give it notice if a driver is charged with a crime that would disqualify him or her from the job. This could alert the company much earlier than their current annual background check.

“If a driver injures you, either because of a vehicle collision or a physical assault, and Uber acted negligently in protecting you and failed to prevent a dangerous driver from working for them, Uber may be held responsible for your injuries. Though the announced changes are steps in the right direction, how well they will actually work remains to be seen,” Tucker said.