This Week In Rideshare: Uber Safety, Self-Driving Survey And Tesla In CA.
Flaws in Uber’s safety system, how Americans feel about AVs, and Tesla targets California. LegalRideshare breaks it down.
FLAWS IN UBERS SAFETY
Drivers in Milwaukee have concerns over the disconnect with Uber’s safety protocol. FOX 6 reported:
Uber drivers in dangerous situations can normally use a safety feature in the app that connects them to help and police. But that’s not the case for Milwaukee drivers.
He said the woman started screaming about getting her money back and her mother joined in from outside the car.
It looks like she was waving a gun in the air, and she says, “Get the f out of my neighborhood,’” he said. “I was lost, like, this is a scary life or death matter. I got to get out of here.”
The driver said he hit the emergency button in the app. ADT Security answered and told him that because he was in Milwaukee, they couldn’t contact the police for him, but sent him a link to call Uber.
ADT sent this statement, saying in part, “due to a local ordinance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is not specific to Uber, ADT is unable to directly contact 911 on behalf of Uber users in the city.”
They say they’re referring to a specific ordinance that cites a burglar alarm policy. The policy doesn’t specifically mention rideshare apps, but it does say police will respond to verified alarms.
HOW AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT AVS
How do American feel about self-driving cars? Mashable explains:
A convincing majority of Americans remain “afraid” to ride in self-driving vehicles, according to a survey released today by AAA.
A January survey of 1,095 people found that 61 percent do not trust self-driving vehicles (that survey question didn’t differentiate between semi-autonomous cars, like some Tesla models, and fully autonomous cars, like Waymo robotaxis). Conversely, 13 percent trust self-driving vehicles and 26 percent are unsure of their safety.
AAA also queried its panel specifically on robotaxis, finding that 74 percent knew that self-driving rideshare cars were available in certain cities, yet 53 percent said they would not ride in one. While Millennial and Generation X drivers were more receptive to robotaxis than Baby Boomers, majorities of the younger generations still said they wouldn’t ride in such a vehicle.
TESLA AIMS FOR CA
Tesla is gearing up to dive into the CA market. Bloomberg reported:
Tesla Inc. is seeking approval to offer ride-hailing services in California, a key step by Elon Musk’s company to begin carrying paying customers while its traditional car-selling business falters.
The electric vehicle manufacturer applied late last year for what’s known as a transportation charter-party carrier permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, according to documents viewed by Bloomberg. That classification means Tesla would own and control the fleet of vehicles.
In its communications with California officials, Tesla discussed driver’s license information and drug-testing coordination, suggesting the company intends to use human drivers, at least initially. Tesla is applying for the same type of permit used by Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s robotaxi business. While Tesla has approval to test autonomous vehicles with a safety driver in California, it doesn’t have, nor has applied for, a driverless testing or deployment permit from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, according to a spokesperson.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Tesla would obtain the California Public Utilities Commission permit or when the service might start. A spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Tesla’s application “is pending and not yet public.”
LegalRideshare is the first law firm in the United States to focus exclusively on Uber®, Lyft®, gig workers, delivery and e-scooter accidents and injuries. Consultations are always free.
