The driving profession itself is inherently unsafe: Ride-hail drivers (such as those who drive for Uber & Lyft), as well as taxi drivers, face a number of risks on the road, from accidents, to harassment, to injuries, and even violence. In fact, according to published statistics, more than 80 percent of ride-hail drivers feel that their work is unsafe, resulting in more than 20 percent carrying weapons in their vehicles to protect themselves.
One recent study specifically examined the correlation between certain work conditions characteristic of being a professional ride hail worker – such as having access to few breaks, a lack of rest, and low income – and unsafe behavior in these drivers, especially those who have multiple jobs as a necessity due to their work conditions, to conclude that those drivers with multiple jobs took the most risks – such as running red lights – which poses the highest levels of danger to both the drivers themselves and the public.
Reasons & Consequences
There are a number of reasons why these drivers are more prone to engage in risky behavior, such as the following:
- They often have unsteady income due to working multiple low-paying jobs without being provided with the safety nets that accompany salaried, full-time jobs, such as healthcare insurance. This results in a desire to complete fares quickly so as to complete as many as possible, which can include speeding, running lights, making illegal U-turns, etc.
- Multi-job professionals are more likely to work odd hours, including evening shifts, which can result in being exposed to intoxicated passengers while driving late at night. This results in a number of drivers carrying weapons in order to protect themselves
- Multiple job holders tend to sleep less than single job holders because they work longer hours during hours when everyone else is resting/sleeping. This can result in decreased attention and awareness on the roads and therefore more safety violations and accidents as well
