Uber Technologies is expanding its safety measures to protect drivers amid a spike in carjackings across the country and a string of high-profile attacks.
The ride-sharing company announced this week it will "significantly" expand a program that verifies a rider's identity either using data sources or documentation starting next year, saying the motivation behind the move is to give drivers "more peace of mind before accepting a trip request."
"We want every driver and courier to know that we are listening to their needs and taking action," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement.
The move comes after the FBI reported carjackings surged more than 8% last year nationwide, and crime stats from major cities indicate the problem is even worse in 2023.
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In Washington, D.C., carjackings are up this year more than 100% compared to same time last year, with 870 reported so far according to data from the city's Metropolitan Police. Recent incidents show Uber drivers can be vulnerable targets.
FOX 5 in Washington, D.C., reported that police arrested three boys, ages 12, 14 and 15 years old, last week for allegedly assaulting and stealing the car of a ride-hail driver. According to the police report, the kids arranged to be picked up in a Capitol Hill neighborhood and carjacked the victim when he arrived.
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Verifying the identities of the alleged perpetrators might have prevented the attack.
An Uber driver also told FOX 5 last month she was carjacked by a teen after refusing to let him bring his dog on a ride.
New Orleans has also seen a series of attacks on ride-share drivers. Nola.com reported that last month, three ride-share drivers in the city were carjacked in a single day, and another was stabbed to death by a rider in March.
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In addition to the expansion of the rider-verification program, Uber will also allow drivers to review deactivation decisions and is taking steps to protect drivers from false allegations and unfair ratings from riders.
