Uber’s System for Screening Drivers Draws Scrutiny

Uber, a popular smart phone app that has provided transportation for thousands of people in the United States and a majority of students at Claremont McKenna College, is now being doubted of its safety and insurance policies. According to the New York Times, Uber, which "allows customers to hail a private car using a smartphone app, generally recruits nonprofessional drivers for its low-cost UberX service. To bring these new drivers onto its platform, Uber uses an outside private firm to screen prospective candidates."

On their website, they praise themselves for their "industry leading" standards and their "rigorous" checks. However, in multiple states, including California, Colorado, and Illinois, Uber and multiple similar companies (i.e. Lyft) have persuaded the courts and politicians to be more lenient on the background checks for drivers of ride sharing companies. So the question arises: Are ride sharing companies like Uber actually safe?

In New Delhi, Uber has been banned after multiple accusations of female rape. Uber is also banned in the Netherlands, Spain, and Portland, Oregon. In California, in the Los Angeles and San Francisco counties, 2 district attorneys have sued Uber for violating California law. The attorneys argue multiple flaws in the background check process and that without a fingerprint check, their "check" is not a real one.

With all this controversy, it will be interesting to see where Uber will be in the next year. Make sure you're safe when using these kind of companies!

HERE is the link!