Everyone with a smartphone now has access to the next generation of personalized, private transportation. It used to be a matter of calling and reserving a cab or, in some places, hailing one from the side of the road. Since ride
sharing is a new phenomenon, however, all of the kinks are still being worked out, including those concerning safety. There is no central authority governing who can drive rideshares, and no license needed beyond a normal driver’s license. Here are some things to understand about the safety of using a ride share service.
One recent study showed that ride sharing’s rise as a service was correlated with a 2 to 3% increase in the number of people killed in accidents – whether pedestrians or occupants of the automobile – between the years of 2011 and 2016. While this study is not the authoritative source of information on the subject, it is concerning. More studies need to be done, though caution is always advisable when getting in a car with someone who, at best, has the same driver’s license that you do.
Since the 1980s, the United States has actually seen an
overall decline in the number of fatal traffic accidents. However, when ride shares started to become a reality in the United States – around 2014 – the numbers suddenly showed an uptick. While correlation is not the same as causation, it is important to keep an eye on these kinds of trends. Several factors have been examined to see how they were affected when ride shares started to grow in popularity, including:
While highly-populated cities were most affected – as were the poorest of them – it is clear that more people shifted away from their public transportation options, or became drivers themselves. Simply having more drivers on the road, with more stops, and more pressure, could explain the increase in fatal accidents.
Some were critical of this study, pointing out that low prices, which tend to lead to an increase in driving, coincided with this same rise in popularity of ride sharing services. In fact, there was a considerable drop right around this same time. Rural areas saw an increase in crash rates as well, and ride sharing services do not typically serve remote areas.
If you are injured, seek medical help. Keep all documentation with medical care and when you give a statement to police. You should contact an attorney to assist you in making sure that you are compensated for your losses and any suffering. The increase in ride share popularity shouldn’t mean the end of the line for your safety.
blogs
Facts About Workers Compensation Claims
Getting injured on the job happens quite frequently, which is why many employers keep an eye out for workplace injuries and often do not take them seriously. It is important that you take your own workplace injury seriously, meaning to seek medical treatment right away and to know your options for workplace injury compensation. Your […]
Keeping Older Drivers Safe
A lot of us have had to have a talk with our grandparents or parents about how they are on the road. There comes a time when caring for yourself can become difficult, as an older person, especially when driving. What can you do to ensure the older person in your life is being safe […]
Five Types of Truck Accidents
Trucks are paramount to our country’s economy. Over 15 million trucks move across the country, transporting consumer goods from one state to another every day. But despite their essential place in our society, trucks are pretty dangerous and pose a high risk to every road user. It pays to know the different types of accidents […]
Who is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycles provide less inherent safety than vehicles. As a result, motorcycle accidents have a greater impact on the motorcyclist than a motorist driving a car. According to the NHTSA motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die than car occupants in a crash per vehicle mile traveled. Identifying the party at fault is critical to […]
Accidents with the Uninsured
Let’s say the worst happens and you find yourself in a serious car accident. Even if everything after the crash goes according to plan, it is a difficult and confusing process. But if you add to all this the fact that the other person is not insured, you could be left facing an absolute nightmare. […]
Holiday Travel Safety
As we get into the holiday season, it’s a good time to think of some relaxing times spent at home with loved ones. Having a nice meal, meeting new spouses and grandchildren, or just coming together finally after a long time apart- it is a period of joy and togetherness. For these reasons and more, […]
Bike Maintenence Checklist
For those of us who bike to work, it’s clear that riding around is more than a hobby. Biking is something that can improve your mental and physical health. It can become a way of life, because to do it right takes commitment. You need to learn the best and fastest bike routes, have all […]
What Causes Truck Tire Blowouts and What to Do When a Truck Tire Hits Your Car
18-wheeler trucks and other commercial vehicles are the backbone of our economy. They deliver nearly 70% of all freight transported annually, and account for over 700 billion of the country’s revenue annually. Just because they’re critical to our economy, it doesn’t make them less dangerous. For instance, although it’s not as bad as a truck […]
Commercial Truck Accidents
While it may not seem like it, there are bigger differences when dealing with a truck accident than just the size of the vehicle. Although they are well insured, companies with commercial trucks will fire back at you with a whole legal team to avoid paying out for damage, injury, or even death. This is […]
Five Tips for Summer Road Trip Safety
Summer time means warmer weather, and that means road trip time. Whether you’re heading down the street or across the country, there’s always a potential obstacle waiting for you. There’s no reason not to put together a safety checklist, and practice safe driving habits before everything gets crazy. For proper road safety, you’ll want to […]
contact form
