Study Links Uber and Lyft to Increase in U.S. Traffic Deaths(thedrive.com)
thedrive.com
Study Links Uber and Lyft to Increase in U.S. Traffic Deaths
http://www.thedrive.com/tech/24493/study-links-uber-and-lyft-to-increase-in-u-s-traffic-deaths
96 comments
Every time you see a claim like “study links X to Y” or “X is correlated with Y”, you should always always always remember that there are three possibilities: X causes Y, Y causes X, or some third factor Z causes both X and Y. I can’t understate the importance of thinking this way and not jumping to unwarranted conclusions. You should also exercise your imagination by trying to imagine why each of these three possibilities might hold.
Edit: There's also the possibility of spurious correlations, as mentioned in the comments below.
Edit: There's also the possibility of spurious correlations, as mentioned in the comments below.
Also, as the number of random variables increases, so to does the probability that some will be correlated just by chance. Pure noise.
Can’t post the reference right now, but the author Nassim Taleb has either a paper or blog post that shows this neatly using random matrices.
I try to make this healthy skepticism / criticism a bit more succinct for laymen by linking to spurious correlations http://tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
I see a lot of evidence that "thinking right" is astoundingly hard.
But I don't see very many statements from real humans of any field, background, or level of intelligence/education that acknowledge the enormity of the challenge.
I'm not sure it's "possible", but I think we're profoundly suffering for the lack of an open-ended, recursive knowledge-production process more efficient than what we've left up to the emergent behavior of a chaotic system.
But I don't see very many statements from real humans of any field, background, or level of intelligence/education that acknowledge the enormity of the challenge.
I'm not sure it's "possible", but I think we're profoundly suffering for the lack of an open-ended, recursive knowledge-production process more efficient than what we've left up to the emergent behavior of a chaotic system.
The Scientific Method can't be something we just learn and file away. Method means it is being applied, we constantly need to practice and study in its application. It is a way of being, not a fact.
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In my state, the phenomenon of attempting to drive while looking at and manipulating one's phone is absolutely epidemic. When a light turns green, the cars in front often don't move and the cars behind them often don't honk because they're engaged with their smartphones too. It's particularly disturbing when you're on a 50mph road with one lane in each direction and you pass a car by a few feet going the other way at a closing speed of 100mph and all you see is the other driver's eyelids and the top of their head.
The article mentions a 3% increase in deaths since 2011 despite cars getting safer, but 2011 correlates to the start of the total ubiquity of the smartphone as well.
On the other hand, I've had some very sketchy Uber/Lyft rides involving extremely late lane changes, almost missing turns/offramps and trying to dive in at the last second. The combination of often younger people who might end up driving for Uber/Lyft, often driving unfamiliar routes, relying on the instructions provided by a phone attached four feet away, while engaged in a conversation with passengers, is probably generally not as safe as you driving yourself along a familiar route.
But it would be quite a feat of analysis if anybody were able to disentangle the effect of Uber/Lyft from other changes since 2011.
The article mentions a 3% increase in deaths since 2011 despite cars getting safer, but 2011 correlates to the start of the total ubiquity of the smartphone as well.
On the other hand, I've had some very sketchy Uber/Lyft rides involving extremely late lane changes, almost missing turns/offramps and trying to dive in at the last second. The combination of often younger people who might end up driving for Uber/Lyft, often driving unfamiliar routes, relying on the instructions provided by a phone attached four feet away, while engaged in a conversation with passengers, is probably generally not as safe as you driving yourself along a familiar route.
But it would be quite a feat of analysis if anybody were able to disentangle the effect of Uber/Lyft from other changes since 2011.
Uber and Lyft also siphon off ridership from mass transit where the fatalities are way lower.
I've had a lot of conversations with drivers that make me cringe. I've had a few tell me about how they've been away from home driving for 24-48 hours, sleeping in the car for a few hours at a time here and there. This article doesn't seem to mention this as a factor but I wouldn't be surprised if Uber/Lyft driver fatigue explains part of this study's findings.
My understanding is that the taxi medallion system originally came to be because there was too much competition in the taxi business, leading to corners being cut (e.g. maintenance) and overcrowding by taxis in certain places. Maybe we're learning this lesson again? This level of competition has brought a lot of convenience and comfort improvements over taxis. But from a big picture point of view, I'm not sure that this level of competition is a good thing. I almost wish Uber/Lyft were more expensive (and that money went to drivers). I'd use them less, but I'd be happier about using it when I did.
My understanding is that the taxi medallion system originally came to be because there was too much competition in the taxi business, leading to corners being cut (e.g. maintenance) and overcrowding by taxis in certain places. Maybe we're learning this lesson again? This level of competition has brought a lot of convenience and comfort improvements over taxis. But from a big picture point of view, I'm not sure that this level of competition is a good thing. I almost wish Uber/Lyft were more expensive (and that money went to drivers). I'd use them less, but I'd be happier about using it when I did.
My impression is that the maintenance burden gets pushed onto drivers and they may not fully understand how to factor that cost into their income. However, there are new incentives to keep the cars well maintained, such as the ability of riders to rate the experience and leave comments, as well as the fact that these cars are also the driver's personal transportation.
The dynamic pricing and monitoring of supply and demand help avoid overcompetition, but that assumes that drivers really won't drive if they are losing money. I wonder if there's app functionality for the driver to plug in their fuel economy/depreciation to show what their actual profit is...
The dynamic pricing and monitoring of supply and demand help avoid overcompetition, but that assumes that drivers really won't drive if they are losing money. I wonder if there's app functionality for the driver to plug in their fuel economy/depreciation to show what their actual profit is...
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> almost wish Uber/Lyft were more expensive (and that money went to drivers). I'd use them less, but I'd be happier about using it when I did.
You can do this already using the tips on both platforms, which go entirely to the driver. Unless your wish is that it were more expensive on a macro level.
You can do this already using the tips on both platforms, which go entirely to the driver. Unless your wish is that it were more expensive on a macro level.
I think the point is that if they were more expensive (and that money went to drivers), then users might think twice about summoning a car when they don't really need one, and give more consideration to more traffic- and environmentally-friendly alternatives. There's also the possibility that drivers might be able to make a reasonable living without feeling pushed to cut corners in maintenance, rest, etc.
Just giving tips to drivers can help out the individual drivers who benefit from them, but it doesn't shift the balance for the ecosystem as a whole.
Just giving tips to drivers can help out the individual drivers who benefit from them, but it doesn't shift the balance for the ecosystem as a whole.
Tips are an after the fact, unilateral, non negotiated contract. The only function they provide is a power trip. They should be discouraged. Industry where it has been traditional to tips take the freedom to cut nominal pay, and let customers on a power trip decide for the worker salary. They should not exist in the 21st century.
Maybe that's so, and I support a worker's right to earn a living wage as much as the next guy, but getting back to the states after being in Europe for three months I'm seriously impressed by how much more attentative to my needs servers are here.
And you know what? It's really nice.
The only difference seems to be the tipping culture.
And you know what? It's really nice.
The only difference seems to be the tipping culture.
Consider another possibility: people in the US are more afraid of losing their jobs than people in Europe.
People on the other side of the order are often one missed or shorted paycheck away from a cascade of late fees, reactivation fees, and overdraft fees with no way out. Even filing for bankruptcy costs time, energy, and money.
I doubt people in places with functional social safety nets worry about what will happen if they have one bad day where they can't fake a chipper attitude.
People on the other side of the order are often one missed or shorted paycheck away from a cascade of late fees, reactivation fees, and overdraft fees with no way out. Even filing for bankruptcy costs time, energy, and money.
I doubt people in places with functional social safety nets worry about what will happen if they have one bad day where they can't fake a chipper attitude.
I agree it’s more likely this. And although service is better in the US, it does make me feel crappy because I know the only reason it’s better is because they so desperately need the tips.
Unemployments pretty high in the parts of Europe I was in. Whereas unemployments very low in the US. I know there's more emphasis placed on working here in America, but it seems like the employed would want to keep their jobs, no?
Especially if jobs are scarce.
I also think it's harder to fire people in Europe. But I'm not certain it's this constant unwavering fear of job loss that drives the better service, I'd put more emphasis on the variable tip than that.
But if the only reason it's better is because of the tips then how do we get good service without them? Because there's not much tipping in Europe and in the eight months over two trips spent in five countries there, service just seemed to stink.
Maybe there's quite a few cultural differences, it may be that Americans move quicker in general (a slower pace seems common in some European places where people like to just sit at cafes and relax), plus tipping, plus economic anxiety (although I think a lot of Europeans must feel that, Sicily's unemployment is something like 20%), plus attitudes toward work in general, plus the ease with which you may be let go could all add up to create the differences I've experienced.
But I much prefer eating in restuarants here.
Especially if jobs are scarce.
I also think it's harder to fire people in Europe. But I'm not certain it's this constant unwavering fear of job loss that drives the better service, I'd put more emphasis on the variable tip than that.
But if the only reason it's better is because of the tips then how do we get good service without them? Because there's not much tipping in Europe and in the eight months over two trips spent in five countries there, service just seemed to stink.
Maybe there's quite a few cultural differences, it may be that Americans move quicker in general (a slower pace seems common in some European places where people like to just sit at cafes and relax), plus tipping, plus economic anxiety (although I think a lot of Europeans must feel that, Sicily's unemployment is something like 20%), plus attitudes toward work in general, plus the ease with which you may be let go could all add up to create the differences I've experienced.
But I much prefer eating in restuarants here.
In a lot of countries in Europe, it is difficult to fire somebody. The service issue is cultural, in two ways in fact:
> if the only reason it's better is because of the tips then how do we get good service without them?
You tell us! Are you a a software developer?
Are you paid by the FP? Are you paid by the rate of bug/FP? Is the amount you are paid per metrics unilaterally decided by your employer with no way for you to negotiate?
If not, do you produce quality code? How does your employer get you to do a good job without paying you a random amount that they decide, after the fact, with no room for negociation?
- in Europe a waiter constantly asking how it's going, is the food good, etc.. is considered intrusive, not "good service".
- waiters not putting huge effort in cheaper restaurants is because, hey why would they when they're not making much more than minimal wage, and because every restaurant in that price range is doing the same.
> if the only reason it's better is because of the tips then how do we get good service without them?
You tell us! Are you a a software developer?
Are you paid by the FP? Are you paid by the rate of bug/FP? Is the amount you are paid per metrics unilaterally decided by your employer with no way for you to negotiate?
If not, do you produce quality code? How does your employer get you to do a good job without paying you a random amount that they decide, after the fact, with no room for negociation?
I mean, I've seen plenty of software engineers with guaranteed incomes settle into their jobs and slack off so I'm not sure it's a great comparison really if proving your point is what you want to do.
> I've seen plenty of software engineers with guaranteed incomes settle into their jobs and slack off
Make everybody a contractor! Let employers vote with their wallet. You slack off, you don't get renewed. I've been a contractor for more than 25 years, plenty of happy customers, plenty of renewals. Legally, my customers don't need to pay me if they can argue I did not deliver what was asked.
But, we negotiate and agree, beforehand, what the work and what the compensation is. I would never work without knowing what the compensation is ahead of time. WOULD YOU?
Make everybody a contractor! Let employers vote with their wallet. You slack off, you don't get renewed. I've been a contractor for more than 25 years, plenty of happy customers, plenty of renewals. Legally, my customers don't need to pay me if they can argue I did not deliver what was asked.
But, we negotiate and agree, beforehand, what the work and what the compensation is. I would never work without knowing what the compensation is ahead of time. WOULD YOU?
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But that's true for non-tip workers too. Service is a bigger thing in the US than it is in Europe. It's a cultural thing. Tips doesn't change that.
as a european who visited the US a while ago, the "fake happiness" as i called it was very offputting to me.
Like, people working dead-end service jobs act way to happy even when they have no reason to be happy. it seems so forced and fake that it actually gives me an unpleasant feeling.
I see little need why a cashier who makes minimum wage should always smile, they are people too and can have a shitty day too?
Like, people working dead-end service jobs act way to happy even when they have no reason to be happy. it seems so forced and fake that it actually gives me an unpleasant feeling.
I see little need why a cashier who makes minimum wage should always smile, they are people too and can have a shitty day too?
The insincerity of servers in US restaurants is shocking as an outsider when you first experience it!
Exactly. Just look at Japan where tipping is a big no-no, but service is taken extremely seriously and puts the US to shame.
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You should have to tip a dollar for every star you wish to rate your driver.
So good drivers get bad reviews when people are cheap, not when they're bad drivers?
Eh...
Eh...
Driver's get to rate the cheap (bad) customers appropriately.
Yes I'm pretty sure corners are being cut on maintenance. Many of Lyft cars I've ridden in lately were displaying a warning on the dashboard about an overdue service interval or some sort of failure (check engine, ABS, TPMS, etc). Of course that's just my personal observation but I've ridden in enough to be confident that it's a real issue.
as a former lyft driver my advice is:
why don't you three star and leave a message to the driver ("hey, your TPMS is on")
why don't you three star and leave a message to the driver ("hey, your TPMS is on")
IMO society can solve cutting corners by bringing regulations and more competition, not less (more competition means service becomes a criteria when choosing).
In fact, I'd want those regulations regardless of uber/lyft/taxis. If individuals can lower road safety by cutting corners, that should be regulated, including lack of sleep.
In fact, I'd want those regulations regardless of uber/lyft/taxis. If individuals can lower road safety by cutting corners, that should be regulated, including lack of sleep.
Regulation often leads to regulatory walls around businesses, protecting them from competing with innovative new solutions, leading to lower quality of life for all. How does your worldview discount for this?
In my experience "regulatory wall" is created by not refreshing regulations often enough, and by corruption and lobbying creating regulation with the sole purpose of limiting competition, instead of protecting the consumer. We need to lower the bar to get rid of bad regulation (making a vote issue?).
We should work towards minimizing the abuse of regulations (we will never be able to eliminate it) rather than be afraid of adding more regulations.
We should work towards minimizing the abuse of regulations (we will never be able to eliminate it) rather than be afraid of adding more regulations.
The rating system seems like a much better answer than the Medallion system.
Every passenger (should be) effectively voting on the safety of the driver. No turn signals or engine light on? Subtract a few stars. If they violate a traffic law, 1 star and report for safety violation.
Every passenger (should be) effectively voting on the safety of the driver. No turn signals or engine light on? Subtract a few stars. If they violate a traffic law, 1 star and report for safety violation.
Uber limits the number of hours a driver can drive per day.
In my experience, almost every driver drives for multiple services.
coud a partial solution involve regulating the lift services such that they report (real time?) the number of minutes a driver has driven to some agency, and are required to check if the driver has sufficient undriven time left to perform a ride?
Seems like we could just solve the real problem by regulating ride sharing services such that they pay their drivers enough that they don't need to work dangerously long shifts in the first place.
how do you then regulate the drivers so that the drivers don't all go hang out some place where it's inconvenient to take rides and nobody gets rides and the drivers suck up a free salary?
NB: I did this to great effect when uber offered me a signing bonus.
NB: I did this to great effect when uber offered me a signing bonus.
This can’t be a surprise to anyone. I frequently have a driver who is obviously different than the one pictured in the app. Some of the drivers I get have been in the country for a matter of weeks or even days, leaving me to wonder how Lyft or Uber verified their ability to drive to sufficient standards—I’m guessing they do virtually nothing beyond confirming the name matches a valid driver’s license.
Talk about an industry that needs regulation!
Talk about an industry that needs regulation!
> I frequently have a driver who is obviously different than the one pictured in the app.
Do you continue the ride? Do you inform the company?
> Talk about an industry that needs regulation!
I infer that you use Uber/Lyft/etc despite your concerns. Why not instead vote with your wallet, and use one of those nice, government-regulated taxicabs?
Do you continue the ride? Do you inform the company?
> Talk about an industry that needs regulation!
I infer that you use Uber/Lyft/etc despite your concerns. Why not instead vote with your wallet, and use one of those nice, government-regulated taxicabs?
I don’t know what my personal actions have to do with what I’ve observed—smells like ad hominem.
It sounds like you are an atypical user or distorting facts. No one I know (including ppl who have driven for these services) has ever experienced any of the problems you describe. I live in large metropolitan areas in the west coast.
That’s pretty easy to fix directly by customers. If the driver doesn’t match the photo, then rate the ride 1 star and explain why.
I’ve done this a few times and gotten a personalized response from Uber every time.
I’ve done this a few times and gotten a personalized response from Uber every time.
It’s not the rider’s problem.
If a driver is committing fraud against the company by allowing someone else to drive in their place that day, who else do you think is going to report it?
It's no different from checking your dozen eggs at the supermarket to make sure none are broken before buying. Whenever you purchase any service or good, any responsible consumer verifies that what was delivered is what they ordered, and raises the issue with the company if not.
It's no different from checking your dozen eggs at the supermarket to make sure none are broken before buying. Whenever you purchase any service or good, any responsible consumer verifies that what was delivered is what they ordered, and raises the issue with the company if not.
Users have no incentive to report. Reporting would not prevent this from happening again, even the next ride.
> I frequently have a driver who is obviously different than the one pictured in the app
Really? I've taken more than 1000 rides on both platforms combined and this has not happened to me once.
> Some of the drivers I get have been in the country for a matter of weeks or even days
How exactly are you inferring this information? I've never had a driver tell me this. Some of them have thick accents, sure, but so do some of my engineering co-workers who have been in the country for years.
Really? I've taken more than 1000 rides on both platforms combined and this has not happened to me once.
> Some of the drivers I get have been in the country for a matter of weeks or even days
How exactly are you inferring this information? I've never had a driver tell me this. Some of them have thick accents, sure, but so do some of my engineering co-workers who have been in the country for years.
> How exactly are you inferring this information?
I ask them how long they’ve been in the area; I’m a friendly guy, and people are surprisingly forthright.
I ask them how long they’ve been in the area; I’m a friendly guy, and people are surprisingly forthright.
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When the driver doesn't match the picture in the app, Uber/Lyft haven't done any verification.
No, just someone else might be driving. They could do face recognition when logging into the driver app or something to authenticate the correct driver is driving or give the option to customers to confirm yes/no in the app when getting in the car.
They actually give the option and I think people should use it. https://i.imgur.com/A7Xs29E.png
Why bother? If it happened once it will happen again. You might as well throw a tissue at the sky in an attempt to stop the rain. They just don’t have any reason to care who picks you up so long as they get your money.
If its reported multiple times they can take action. If not, well, its like voting. If you dont, you are supporting whatever the system is in the end. And they care because if there are safety issues it will hit the bottom line eventually.
> And they care because if there are safety issues it will hit the bottom line eventually.
Long after people die, I’m guessing.
Long after people die, I’m guessing.
Of course they have a reason to care -- the worse quality customers receive, the more they'll defect to a competing service with higher quality.
All of capitalism is based on companies competing for customers by providing better products. The entire reason Uber exists is to provide a better product that taxis or Lyft. They have every reason to care, and there are tons of cases of drivers being banned from Uber because of repeated complaints. I believe your pessimism here is totally unfounded.
All of capitalism is based on companies competing for customers by providing better products. The entire reason Uber exists is to provide a better product that taxis or Lyft. They have every reason to care, and there are tons of cases of drivers being banned from Uber because of repeated complaints. I believe your pessimism here is totally unfounded.
> All of capitalism is based on companies competing for customers by providing better products.
Not true at all. Lyft and uber are virtually identical; there is no consumer choice. Companies have an incentive only to provide a product that is not worse than their competitor, but the market is still anti-labor and anti-consumer.
Not true at all. Lyft and uber are virtually identical; there is no consumer choice. Companies have an incentive only to provide a product that is not worse than their competitor, but the market is still anti-labor and anti-consumer.
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Ah, thanks for sharing. Good to know. I usually give a low rating (and then Uber called me a few times to understand why), but this is much better!
They could, but have zero incentive to.
Also, people just might not care, possibly endangering others. Don’t leave it up to the riders.
Also, people just might not care, possibly endangering others. Don’t leave it up to the riders.
I no longer use Uber or Lyft because I’ve had more rides with drivers who I would consider to be a “dangerous driver” than those I consider safe.
Many times the driver is in too big a rush to get their next fare, and they drive erratically and over the speed limit whilst using their phone. I even had a driver whose breath smelt like he’d been drinking. I just don’t feel safe, and I don’t think these companies regulate or check how safe their drivers are driving. I wonder whether there could be something in their driver app that monitors the speed or safety of the driver when they have a passenger in the car. I know that some insurance companies have apps like these.
Many times the driver is in too big a rush to get their next fare, and they drive erratically and over the speed limit whilst using their phone. I even had a driver whose breath smelt like he’d been drinking. I just don’t feel safe, and I don’t think these companies regulate or check how safe their drivers are driving. I wonder whether there could be something in their driver app that monitors the speed or safety of the driver when they have a passenger in the car. I know that some insurance companies have apps like these.
I've not ever used Uber (Lyft isn't in my country I don't think) but I have noticed a surprisingly high number of really bad drivers with Uber stickers on their cars... I feel like the general standard of driving seems to have seriously decreased since I started seeing the stickers a year or so ago (before that Uber was technically illegal, so while it did operate, drivers didn't advertise so much).
On the flip side of the DUI experience (which I believe); you can easily ruin a driver’s source of income by simply accusing them of drunk driving. Best case scenario they have a dashcam and can demonstrate their sobriety with evidence, but worse case they’re deprived of their income and forced through a kafkaesque process to beg for their job back. I’ve heard this experience from half a dozen different drivers.
Add to this Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Here in London they are very popular, and most drivers use mopeds, which require very little training to get a license. I regularly see them driving through red lights, speeding, driving dangerously in general, and parking where they shouldn't.
Specifically they have a provisional license which means they took a 1 day course. They haven't passed their full driving test and still have L plates on their motorcycle. It's insane they are allowed to work based on a skill they officially don't have.
I'm amazed they can afford the insurance.
They probably aren't. Aren't most Lyft and Uber drivers using non commercial insurance policies as well?
What are your personal protections in an instance where you're a passenger in a commercial vehicle insured only for personal purposes in an accident where your driver's at fault? Would your medical bills be paid for?
It's not something I'd considered before but seems concerning.
What are your personal protections in an instance where you're a passenger in a commercial vehicle insured only for personal purposes in an accident where your driver's at fault? Would your medical bills be paid for?
It's not something I'd considered before but seems concerning.
They have a direct financial incentive to break traffic and parking laws because that allows them to get paid for more deliveries. Uber Eats and other delivery services choose to turn a blind eye.
In China, approximately 100% of food delivery folks use electric mopeds, which (at least in Beijing) don't require a licence and don't require registration (although the latter is due to change soon).
They don't generally speed, and their adherence to other traffic rules, courteous parking etc. are indistinguishable from other vehicle users.
They don't generally speed, and their adherence to other traffic rules, courteous parking etc. are indistinguishable from other vehicle users.
That is China in specific, which is not representative of the larger world in general, where people on mopeds for these apps are generally significantly less adherent to traffic laws.
It may not be representative of the US, UK and Western Europe. But I'd be surprised if China is unique.
Anyone here from Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand or India? Do food delivery riders ride less cautiously/courteously than the general 2-wheeled population?
Anyone here from Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand or India? Do food delivery riders ride less cautiously/courteously than the general 2-wheeled population?
> their adherence to other traffic rules, courteous parking etc. are indistinguishable from other vehicle users.
Having been to Beijing, this basically means "they don't follow traffic rules at all."
Having been to Beijing, this basically means "they don't follow traffic rules at all."
Uber and Lyft definitely put more shitty drivers out on the road constantly cruising looking to pickup or drop off their riders in most not suitable places with 0 regards to traffic, especially in NYC and suburbs. Uber and Lyft pays so little that most of their drivers are definitely not qualified to drive professionally but are doing it because they can't get any other job.
I forgot to mention that these drivers work for multiple ride-sharing companies (at least 2 but sometimes up to 4 in NYC) and have multiple smartphones docked to their dashboard constantly distracting them.
So is it the fault of Uber and Lift that the gig economy has become a thing?
I have a friend who fled Assad's genocide in Syria, has an accounting degree, and is currently looking for a job. Guess what he's doing in the meantime...
I have a friend who fled Assad's genocide in Syria, has an accounting degree, and is currently looking for a job. Guess what he's doing in the meantime...
oh he fled Assad, that makes it okay for him to offer professional driver services in a country where he just arrived with 0 assessment of his driving skills. and in the meantime if he ends up causing an accident or two by putting everyone's life in danger its okay because, remember, he fled Assad.
Who said he just arrived? Assad has been murdering people for almost 8 years.
A driver's license may not be a good indicator of driving skills, but it's more than "0 assessment".
A driver's license may not be a good indicator of driving skills, but it's more than "0 assessment".
Just what was the point of giving his backstory?
Because he could have had a real job right now in Syria. I'm guessing most people with accounting degrees would rather work as accountants than Uber drivers.
I would like to know how they eliminated confounding. Was there an increase in other risky behaviors at the same time, like texting while driving? How many of the deaths caused by accidents involved Uber or Lyft drivers? Maybe it's click-baity.
Interesting how the Lyft spokesperson doesnt directly address the study’s claims.
Instead they make other, unrelated claims about drunk driving safety increases.
Instead they make other, unrelated claims about drunk driving safety increases.
VMT = Vehicle Miles Traveled
The article makes extensive use of this acronym without defining it.
The article makes extensive use of this acronym without defining it.
Anecdotally, as a cyclist, it sure feels like Uber drivers are trying to kill me!
Shouldn't it be easy to see how many fatal accidents there were during rides? Isn't there some kind of tracking of this by Lyft and Uber?
They almost certainly track accident data for internal use, but I can't imagine they'd ever want to share it.
There’s also been an increase in smart phone use during the same period. I cringe at the number of drivers I see that are fully engaged in their phones while driving. It’s too bad that distracted driving has virtually cancelled out any gains in safety that modern technology has provided (auto breaking, blind spot assist, etc,) during the same time period.
Unsurprising as we know that Lyft and Uber increase the amount of cars on the road, and cars are dangerous and drivers kill people all the time.
We've known this for a century and yet we still do nothing about it.
The only way to make our cities safer is to reduce the amount of cars on the road by limiting road expansion and creating transportation alternatives to the car.
We've known this for a century and yet we still do nothing about it.
The only way to make our cities safer is to reduce the amount of cars on the road by limiting road expansion and creating transportation alternatives to the car.
I wonder how many ridesharing deaths are related passengers not wearing seatbelts. I certainly didn't wear seatbelts when I first got in Lyft and Uber rides. I think was that because I never got into the habit of wearing seatbelts in taxis for some reason.
The world is a big complicated place and it seems to me very hard to lay a small shift in that metric on a specific companies doorstep. It's one of those extrordinary claims / extrordinary proof things, and as such I find it unproven.
When I'm crossing a street and a car flies through the intersection nearly hitting me, it's usually an Uber driver. Were taxi drivers so desperate to speed through cities and reach their next fare as quickly as possible?
Yes, Taxi drivers were much worse about this. This is a gross generalization but based on my experience Taxi drivers drive much more aggressively and have more disregard for traffic laws, but are also generally more skilled.
http://cityobservatory.org/unsafe-uber-lethal-lyft-were-skep...