Originally Posted by
SkiAdcock
Wonder if taxi companies screening policies are any better? Note - I don't have a dog in this hunt, but there are reports of taxi cab drivers in altercations, attacks, etc. Do a google on 'taxi driver charged with'.
Cheers.
I don't know about Illinois, however, in
California, taxi drivers must undergo a criminal history background check and submit to Live Scan fingerprinting.
Uber checks several data bases, but doesn't obtain fingerprints to verify identity.
Another concern is insurance. Again, these figures apply to California.
Uber drivers are required to meet only reduced limits when not actually carrying passengers (i.e., while on the way to pick them up). Those are $50,000 in liability coverage for death or injury suffered by a single person, $100,000 for all damages in one accident and $30,000 for property damage.
Taxi drivers, on the other hand, must carry a $1,000,000 commercial liability policy which covers them 24/7/365 while carrying passengers or not.
Don't get me wrong, I like the Uber/Lyft concept; however, I think that they should compete on a level field when it comes to criminal background checks and insurance.