Uber disclosed 3,000 sexual assaults in U.S. rides last year in its long-awaited safety report

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: Washington Post

Uber disclosed 3,000 sexual assaults reported in U.S. rides last year in its long-awaited safety report, amid widespread criticism of its safety practices and pressure to increase its transparency over the issue.

In a lengthy report, which divides sexual misconduct into 21 categories, Uber said it recorded 235 rapes last year and hundreds more reports of assault that could involve unwanted touching, kissing or attempted rape.

The report also examined other safety categories, including violent crimes such as physical assaults and motor-vehicle deaths. Uber said there were 107 motor-vehicle fatalities in 2017 and 2018, with a total of 97 fatal crashes involving users on the app. The company also said there were 19 fatal physical assaults over the same time period.

It was the first time the company has released those numbers amid heightened scrutiny from lawmakers, advocacy groups and consumers to improve the safety of the app.



Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/12/05/uber-disclosed-sexual-assaults-us-rides-last-year-its-long-awaited-safety-report/?wpisrc=al_news__alert-economy--alert-national&wpmk=1

[mopinko]

1. #1 reason i do not use them.

i'll take a registered cab, thanks.
luckily, i dont have to rely on them. but still.

it really grinds that this could be used the other way- they could likely take a lot of predators off the streets w the data they have. you should expect that when you plug in.

[dem4decades]

2. Oh boy. I guess getting a cab might be safer?

[DBoon]

3. Are there equivalent statistics for registered cab companies?

Would be an interesting comparison

[Mr.Bill]

4. This sounds bad, but I wonder how it compares to the same amount of rides

in traditional cabs. Without that, we really don't know how much more unsafe or safe Uber is.

[LisaM]

5. Cab drivers are far more regulated.

I'm sure there are some assaults, but I'd be very surprised if it was anything close to this.

[Mr.Bill]

7. True, but it varies from state to state.

I've known cab drivers who were convicted felons. I can easily believe Uber's numbers are worse than regular cabs, but by how much?

[Merlot]

8. Regular cab drivers have a lot more at stake

They invest a lot with the medallions etc. Aside from having a lot of money and probably connections, I'd guess there are background checks before they get their license.

So, cabs are worse from a cleanliness and timelyness standpoint, but I'd still trust one more than a random uber driver.

[dalton99a]

6. There is a reason Uber refuses to use fingerprint checks.

[keithbvadu2]

9. Times change - Uber

[lonely bird]

10. Improve the safety of the app?

What nonsense. Uber has made this claim that they are just an app. They are just “ride-sharing”. That is bullshit, always was, always will be. They are unlicensed, unregulated taxis, period. They are expanding into freight. When owner-operators of rigs work for trucking companies how are they regulated? Will Uber Freight be regulated in the same way or will they still be “just an app”?

[Farmer-Rick]

11. It's hard to assess.

Here's a link.
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/102815/uber-safer-regular-taxi.asp

It seems that the safety record regarding assault, rape and theft of regular cab companies is hard to assess because the data is patchy and poorly maintained.

There are some indications that cabs are better and some that Uber is better. And it depends in what area you live in and how your state, city or county regulates them.