In recent years, large communities have adopted rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft to give residents another transportation option. Unfortunately, these services might also have an unintended negative impact on our New Jersey streets and highways.
Whether they do not own a vehicle or they are seeking a safe alternative to driving after a party or visit to a bar, countless people select one of many ridesharing services available. Unfortunately, while these services were designed for convenience, this could ultimately work against the public’s overall safety. Here are three factors that could lead to unanticipated dangers due to ridesharing apps:
- Crowded locations: Whether it is a pick-up or drop-off, it is not uncommon for rideshare drivers to make stops at crowded locations. Airports, sporting events, shopping venues, concert halls – these areas might be filled to the brim with other vehicles and pedestrian traffic. Adding numerous rideshare vehicles to the mix can lead to collisions.
- Driver fatigue: It is no surprise that a significant percentage of rideshare drivers use it as a part time job to supplement their income. That being the case, it is not unheard-of for these drivers to work a full shift before even getting behind the wheel. Worse, some drivers might work two or three additional jobs to make ends meet. When this is the case, many rideshare drivers operate on a lack of quality sleep which leads to drowsy driving and the greater potential for collisions.
- Crowded roads: One of the most unanticipated dangers that rideshare apps can lead to is roads that are more crowded than they would have been otherwise. In the past, someone without a car might have been forced to walk, ride a bicycle or use public transportation to get to a location. Failing that, they might have made other plans altogether. With the ease of ordering transportation on a phone, however, ridesharing potentially adds dozens or hundreds more vehicles to an already-crowded thoroughfare. Put simply, more vehicles mean more collisions.
Motor vehicle collisions can lead to severe injuries with long-lasting effects. From broken bones and lacerations to head injuries and spinal cord damage, vehicle occupants could face life-changing consequences. Individuals must be aware of the dangers they face when choosing rideshare transportation.