Colorado Pushes Bill Check for Ride-Sharing Safety
The proposed bill would require ride-sharing companies to submit an annual report on reported instances of assault, stalking, harassment, murder, or car accidents on the platform, and would also require the installation of dash cameras or biometric scanners to verify driver identity, in an effort to increase safety and transparency for users.
Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are pushing for stricter background checks for Lyft and Uber drivers, following a personal experience of sexual assault by a ride-sharing driver, with the proposed bill aiming to increase safety for users of ride-share apps.
The proposed bill, the Transportation Network Company Consumer Protection Act, would require fingerprint-based criminal history record checks, driver identity verification, and video recording during rides. This would be a significant upgrade from the current name and Social Security number background checks used by ride-sharing companies. The bill also aims to increase transparency by requiring ride-sharing companies to report violent incidents and provide critical evidence to survivors and law enforcement within 24 hours.
Lyft and Uber have expressed concerns that the bill would jeopardize operations in Colorado, citing the potential for discriminatory outcomes for communities of color and the unreliability of fingerprinting. However, lawmakers argue that companies have prioritized profits over people and evaded responsibility, and that the proposed measures are necessary to protect users. The proposal comes after Democratic State Rep. Jenny Willford announced she is suing Lyft after she was raped by a driver in 2024.
The bill's fate remains uncertain, with Lyft and Uber pushing back against the proposed measures. However, lawmakers and advocates for increased safety measures remain committed to pushing the bill forward, citing the need to protect users of ride-share apps and prevent future incidents of assault and exploitation.
