The Perils of Distracted Driving for Ride-Hailing Services Like Uber

A number of drivers these days make a bit of extra cash by driving for ride-hailing services like Uber and its competitor, Lyft. While the additional income can be a nice boost to the bank account, it appears that Uber drivers, as well as drivers of other ride-hailing services, may face an increased risk of distracted driving and all its attendant dangers.

According to the New York Times, the way service calls come in for Uber drivers, as well as drivers of other ride-hailing services, may increase the potential for distracted driving. Uber service calls arrive on a driver’s phone, accompanied by a loud beeping. The driver has only 15 seconds to accept the fare. Failure to accept the fare within those fifteen seconds means the fare goes to another driver, and even worse, in many major cities drivers who fail to respond to several calls in a row are temporarily suspended.

Fifteen seconds isn’t a lot of time. Often, it’s not enough time for drivers to pull over, check their phones, figure out whether the fare is worth it given their current location and then accept the fare. While drivers can accept fares with just a tap on their phones, how many will do so without checking to see how far away the fare is?

It turns out the situation may not be that much better for taxi drivers, either. Currently in San Francisco, taxi drivers use an app called Flywheel, which operates much like the Uber system. The fastest to respond gets the fare. Drivers get 20 seconds to respond, after which the fare is broadcast to another set of drivers.

After a car accident, an experienced attorney is one of the few people who will advocate for your best interests. Robert Greening is the principal attorney at Greening Law, P.C. He has dedicated his 24 years of practice to the litigation of wrongful death and serious injury cases. If you have any questions, contact Greening Law, P.C. at 972-934-8900.