Are Female Ride Share Drivers at Risk for Sexual Assaults

Reliable Rider background checks every member (rider) in the ride share club, which means greater safety and security for club drivers.

 Female rideshare drivers report a wide range of unwanted experiences:  having passengers flirt with them, solicit them for sex, or making unwanted advances toward them. Many female drivers reportedly carry pepper spray and/or other defensive weapons in their vehicles.  Most rideshare drivers are legally classified as independent contractors, so they lack the protections available to regular employees.  Choosing whether or not to drive at night is a decision that many female drivers face. The demand is higher at night, so they can make more money, but they are more likely to encounter inappropriate or threatening passengers.  About 20 percent of Lyft drivers and 25 percent of Uber drivers in the US are women.  Passenger verifications, background checks, and in-vehicle cameras, could make conditions much safer for drivers. 

Sexual Assaults Reported

Lyft reported more than 4,000 sexual assaults during rides from 2017 to 2019.  It reported 1,096 sexual assaults in 2017, 1,255 in 2018 and 1,807 in 2019.  More than half of the incidents in 2019 were reported as non-consensual touching of a sexual body part.   About 156 reports involved non-consensual sexual penetration, according to the report. It also listed ten fatal assaults from 2017 through 2019, including four in 2019.  Lyft was sued by more than a dozen women in 2019 who alleged the company had failed to enact basic safety measures that would have prevented the alleged assaults. It also reported that from 2017 to 2019, more than 99% of rides occurred without any reported safety-related incident.  Uber released its safety report in 2019, which showed over 3,000 sexual assault claims from 2017–2018.

New drivers for Uber and Lyft have to undergo background checks before being allowed to drive. Both drivers and customers now have access to an in-app panic button that automatically contacts a 911 dispatcher and shares the caller’s location.

In 2019, a pregnant Lyft driver in Arizona, 39-year-old Kristina Howato, was fatally stabbed by a passenger.  Passengers (riders) are not currently required to complete background checks before making an account. There is no identity verification needed for passengers unless they are paying with a gift card or prepaid card. Riders can technically still use fake names or their friend’s accounts, making them harder to identify and track down if a sexual assault report is made. 

See a previous blog titled: Are Ride-share Drivers at Risk for Violence?

Why Drive for a Reliable Rider Club?

You won’t use your own vehicle.  The club provides the ride share vehicles.  You can drive up to 5 hours per day, 30 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.  You can earn up to $450 per week or $1800 per month plus tips.  You will get to choose which five-hour shifts you drive.   The shifts are (6 AM to 11 AM), (12 Noon to 5 PM) or (6 PM to 11 PM).  You won’t drive on Saturday mornings, although you may drive the club vehicle to a service location for vehicle maintenance. Your riders will be Club Members Only, who have all been background checked (no strangers).  Drivers must be medically fit to drive. If you are sick, a substitute driver will replace you upon request.  Drivers will be covered by the Club’s Auto Insurance Policy.  Coverage includes auto liability coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, medical payments coverage and personal injury protection.  Register your interest in becoming a club driver.

Known Riders

Reliable Rider Club members receive background checks of criminal history prior to their membership being activated, which means more safety and security for drivers and riders. Having a maximum club size of 60 members means you won’t be riding with strangers, but rather with people you see on a weekly or monthly basis.

Known Drivers

Reliable Rider Clubs hire experienced drivers who must have at least three years of driving experience. Background checks of criminal history and driver’s records are required.

Known Vehicles

Reliable Rider Club vehicles are serviced and inspected weekly on Saturday mornings. This means safer rides, because the age, quality and maintenance of the vehicles is transparent to all club members and drivers.

Reliable Rider Clubs – Members Only Ride Share System

Our clubs are attractive to Senior Citizens who no longer want to drive or individually own vehicles. People who cannot obtain a driver's license for any reason. People who want to opt out of the Legal Liabilities of driving.  People who want the Dollar Savings of Shared Ownership. People who have Medical Issues or concerns that prevent them from driving. People who want to manage the risks of consuming alcohol at restaurants, bars, music and sporting events. People who value Safety and Security above all other considerations.  Register your interest in becoming a club member.

 

Reliable Rider, LLC  

https://reliablerider.com/ 

4140 E. Baseline Rd., Ste. 101 

Mesa, AZ 85206 

4805392607 / 8002459025