Toxic Uber sued after driver allegedly tried to rape passenger in car

Re: Not an Uber fan, but

"This seems unlikely to be a problem unique to Uber."

Yes, but they are the worst offender, and are leading by bad example. While at a very large employer last summer they basically said; do NOT use Uber, we will only reimburse rides from Lyft. Not a testimonial, but even last year it was clear enough that this larger company did not trust any of the employees in a Uber car of any type. This is a modern company (Uber) with a very bad stench to it. They need to clean out the fuckheads and get into doing their business and not having a fucking party every single day. I wouldn't work in their data center for $300/hr. No way.

Re: Not an Uber fan, but

In Italy, an appeal court just confirmed jail for a taxi driver who committed rape. Anyway, these cases are not common. A taxi driver needs a not so small investment to obtain a license, and in turn that could make him more careful about not throwing everything away. When your pool of workers is among those who can't fond a decent job and need money, there could be a bigger chance of getting criminals, especially when you work hard to avoid any responsibility.

Re: Not an Uber fan, but

Actually, I think it IS likely to be a problem if not unique to Uber then certainly worse.

In many parts of the world, licensed taxis now routinely have cameras installed for the protection of the drivers. But of course this also protects the passengers and means that any allegations of assault (and any attempt at such an assault) would be more than just a he-said/she-said situation which might be argued to be a vexatious allegation made by a difficult/disgruntled customer.

Then there's the threat that any such behaviour by a taxi driver will lead not just to possible criminal prosecution but that even the allegation of such a thing could lead to the loss of their livelihood, losing their license to carry and their ability to get it back.

Uber drivers don't have to worry about niceties such as being licensed to carry passengers, at all.

Re: Not an Uber fan, but

I remember two murderers who were London lack cab drivers and raped and killed women who were their passengers.

I have had some dodgy black cab drivers and some dodgy mini-cab drivers, back in the day. In any vehicle, you as getting into a stranger's car.

Re: Utterly dumb simile

I think the argument they're trying to make is that the "robot" is a drop-in replacement - i.e. there's no difference in role and responsibilities, and therefore the two must be equivalent, making drivers employees.

But, as you say, the argument is patently bollocks. You can easily have two people doing the exact same role, one an employee, the other a contractor. So while a self-driving car is nominally an employee (though really its just an asset) the meatbags could still be contractors.

On the other hand, I think the saner arguments that drivers are employees hold some weight.

Re: If here's something worse than uber, it's lawyers.

Until you are accused of a crime you didn't commit, or your neighbour has trespassed and sawn down all your trees or keeps parking all over your front garden, or when your employer tries to rip you off, or when you are unfairly dismissed, or... but lawyers (at least in the UK) are reactive: you need help, you walk through their door.

I have called on lawyers to help me on everything from immigration woes to a thieving employer and they have always been brilliant. I call in a plumber when I have problems, I call in a lawyer when I need one.

Re: It's not clear whether taxis and limousines are any safer than Uber

Uber -- I don't know my driver. I don't know his car. I don't know if he has been vetted. I don't know anything about him except he won't know the fast back roads like a black cabbie will, and he won't be able to take my disabled partner (no ramps) and so forth.