A new study from the Booth School at the University of Chicago estimates ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, have become significant contributors to   the rise in fatal traffic accidents. They are not only increasing street congestion and hurting transit companies, but are killing people. An article from Streetsblog notes that the increase in congestion is partly because drivers spend 40 to 60 percent of their time circling without passengers, which is known as “deadheading.” Uber and Lyft have increased traffic deaths by 2-3 percent nationally, which is 1,100 additional deaths per year. These companies are supposed to help solve transportation problems, but evidence is proving that they are making a lot of problems worse.

Cities with high Uber and Lyft usage had more pedestrian deaths, more traffic deaths at night, weekends, and overall, compared to other cities. Drivers for these companies receive little training and are relatively inexperienced compared to the taxi drivers they replaced. There is little quality control through the companies. Uber has been slow to impose limits on drowsy driving that apply to other commercial drivers. Finally, this year, they imposed a rule that drivers must take a six-hour break after driving for 12 hours straight, which is a much weaker standard than the federal government requires for most commercial drivers.

If you or someone you know have been injured in or by a Lyft or Uber, please visit our website:  www.rblaw.net OR contact us at:  (312) 458-1000.