Uber Should Be Regulated

Issue:

Uber should be regulated the same way as Taxis.

Facts:

Uber launched in 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. Since then, the company has expanded; with its latest reported valuation between $60-$70 billion. Uber has become a recognized global household name. With its mobile application, any person who has a smartphone can join the ride-sharing services. Uber is currently servicing over 60 counties and 404 cities worldwide. Everyone loves the concept of on-demand hauling services with just a click on his or her smartphone. However, does this hype worth risking safety?

Following a recent shooting spree of an Uber driver, Jason Dalton; six people were left dead, and two others wounded. During the seven-hour manhunt, the suspect continued to drive and accepted fares. Uber knew but did nothing to stop it. The tragedy just one of the numerous incidents that raised a concern regarding Uber’s safety measures. In fact, many believe “Uber should be regulated the same way as Taxis.”

Option and Analysis:

The company’s intriguing advertisement “drive when you want, earn what you need” attracts millions of people around the world, especially in the U.S. Working for Uber, is becoming a quick way for people to make extra cash. Just about anyone who has a car can be Uber’s driver. Since the company considers its driver as an independent contractor, it does not require driver’s credential and comprehensive background check. Not until recently imposed by the legislature, Uber finally request third party service called Checkr to run a basic background verification on its prospect driver. Due to the look-back limit on a certain record, Checkr cannot include any criminal case files that were more than seven years ago. Unlike Taxis, Uber does not require a fingerprint. Which leads some people to believe that its background check is counterproductive. The company argues that the Live Scan fingerprint has flaws as the database of the FBI, and State also contain the fingerprints of people who were never charged or convicted of a crime. Nonetheless, the company acknowledged that its background check system is imperfect. The company included a statement saying, “a potential driver may have a stolen or fraudulent identity or an illegally obtained, but valid Social Security number that cancels his or her true identity.” (Lien, T., 2016) Also, the prospective driver does not go through any safety training. Some may be driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs as there is no pre and post drug screen require by the firm.

Despite the company claims that passenger safety is their primary concern. Criminal cases involved Uber’s drivers are on the rise. In March of 2016, an Uber driver in El Cajon, California was charged with sexually assaulted