Sayfullo Saipov, who intentionally killed eight people by driving a rented pickup truck on a bicycle path in Manhattan, had been a Uber driver in good standing. He passed an Uber background check in 2017 and made over 1,400 trips for Uber.
Female driver in UK claimed gender discrimination due to insufficient security
A female driver in the UK claimed gender discrimination in that Uber purportedly failed to provide sufficient security to female drivers. She complained that she had to accept a passenger’s request without knowing the destination in advance, and had no option to cancel requests to remote or unsafe destinations. She also complained that Uber would penalize her if she canceled a trip for an aggressive passenger or a passenger raising other safety concerns.
London Police said Uber “aware of criminal activity and yet haven’t informed the police”
In an April 2017 letter, the London Metropolitan Police questioned why Uber had not notified the police about criminal offenses known to Uber. The Police reported Uber refusing to provide information within its custody unless the police submit a formal request, and also refusing to report crime to the police because such reports may breach rights of a passenger. The Police questioned Uber’s approach, saying that Uber is “allowing situations to develop” that affect public safety, and noting also that the extra steps Uber calls for can impede prompt prosecution and ultimately lead perpetrators to go free.
The letter’s conclusion:
The significant concern I am raising is that Uber have been made aware of criminal activity and yet haven’t informed the police. Uber are however proactive in reporting lower level document frauds to both the MPS and LTPH. My concern is twofold, firstly it seems they are deciding what to report (less serious matters / less damaging to reputation over serious offences) and secondly by not reporting to police promptly they are allowing situations to develop that clearly affect the safety and security of the public.
San Francisco Police Department finds that Uber and Lyft drivers committed 65% of downtown traffic violations
At a hearing, Commander of Municipal Transportation for the San Francisco Police Department Robert O’Sullivan, reported that Uber and Lyft drivers were cited for the majority of traffic violations in downtown San Francisco. In particular, he reported that on the dozen tags SFPD studied, Uber and Lyft drivers caused 1723 of 2656 violations, 65%.
The most common violations resulted from using transit-only lanes (authorized for use by buses and taxis but not Uber or Lyft) (1144 violations). The second-most common category was obstructing a bicycle lane (183 violations).
San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin remarked on the seriousness of the situation and added that “We should take this to the state attorney general.”
Deaths attributed to Uber and Lyft
Who’s Driving You? reports 29 deaths attributed to Uber or Lyft.
Representative examples:
63 imposters impersonating Uber and Lyft drivers
Who’s Driving You? reports 63 incidents of imposters pretending to be Uber or Lyft drivers.
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Felons found driving for Uber and Lyft
Who’s Driving You? reports 19 incidents of felons driving for Uber and Lyft.
Representative examples:
- Uber Was Warned About Driver’s Violent Past, Before He Raped a Passenger, New Lawsuit Alleges
- Former Restaurant Manager Accused of Attempted Rape, Later Hired by Uber
- Boston Man Arrested for Allegedly Dragging Two Police Officers with his SUV had a Long History of Driving Offenses; Drove for Uber in Month Preceding Arrest
- California District Attorney Says Flaws in Uber’s Background-checking System Allowed 25 Drivers with Criminal Records
- Dallas Uber Driver Arrested for Sexual Assault Had Prior Conviction of Felony Weapons Possession
- 8 California Uber Drivers with Extensive Criminal Histories
11 alleged kidnappings by Uber and Lyft drivers
Who’s Driving You? reports 11 alleged kidnappings by Uber and Lyft drivers.
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287 alleged sexual assaults by Uber and Lyft drivers
Who’s Driving You? reports 287 incidents of alleged sexual assaults by Uber and Lyft drivers.
Representative examples:
69 alleged assaults by Uber and Lyft drivers
Who’s Driving You? reports 69 incidents of alleged assaults by Uber and Lyft drivers.
Representative examples: