Uber deals with #WhatsMyName to ensure riders get in the best cars and truck

It’s been more than a year considering that Samantha Josephson unconsciously entered into the incorrect Uber cars and truck late on a Friday night in Columbia, South Carolina. Fourteen hours later on, the 21-year-old was discovered dead in a woody location about 90 miles away.

For Josephson’s moms and dads, the discomfort of her death is still painful.

“Every time we talk about it, it’s hard,” Samantha’s daddy, Seymour Josephson, stated over the phone as he choked back tears. “But it’s something we have to do.”

After Josephson was killed, her moms and dads made it their objective to make the ride-hailing market much safer. They began a structure called #WhatsMyName that’s tailored towards raising awareness about guest security and pressing business and legislators to develop policies that make flights more protected. Part of the objective is to get individuals to ask “what’s my name” prior to entering any cars and truck.

Uber revealed Wednesday that it’s partnering with the #WhatsMyName structure to assist in its cause. Through the collaboration, Uber stated, it will intend to enhance the structure’s message utilizing its huge worldwide scope. Uber has more than 100 million active riders and remains in more than 70 nations worldwide.

“What happened to Samantha was just horrifically tragic,” Tracey Breeden, Uber’s worldwide head of ladies’s security, stated in an interview. Breeden, a previous policeman who’s worked for more than a years on avoiding violence versus ladies, stated Uber had actually been asking “what can we do next to really increase awareness around rideshare safety?” Partnering with #WhatsMyName appeared like the best fit.

Lyft revealed on Wednesday that it’s likewise partnering with #WhatsMyName to assist inform university student about safe riding. Jennifer Brandenburger, Lyft’s director of public law for neighborhood security, stated in a declaration that, “While the tragedy involving Sami Josephson didn’t happen on the Lyft platform, we’re committed to enhancing safety across the entire rideshare industry.” 

That market has actually been pestered by security concerns for many years. Hundreds of travelers and chauffeurs have actually stepped forward declaring sexual attack throughout flights. Several suits have actually been brought versus Uber by individuals stating they were raped, abducted or searched by the service’s chauffeurs. Similar accusations have actually been made versus Lyft, which has actually been taken legal action against by about 60 ladies over the in 2015 declaring sexual attack by its chauffeurs. Both business have actually likewise had numerous concerns with individuals impersonating chauffeurs and getting unwary riders.

Now playing:
Watch this:

Lyft accused of ignoring sexual assault reports

2:43

Last December, Uber released its first “safety transparency report,” which detailed incidents that happen on its platform. It said 99.9% of rides ended without an issue, but problems did occur. In 2018, about four rapes per week happened during Uber rides, not to mention a yearly tally of thousands of incidents of sexual assault ranging from unwanted kissing to attempted rape. Lyft has yet to release this type of data.

“Passenger safety is the most important issue. If passengers aren’t safe, then ridesharing isn’t viable,” said Bryant Greening, an attorney with LegalRideshare, which represents riders and drivers. “Most people aren’t going to be victims of crimes, but you need to take proactive steps to make sure you’re not a statistic.”

To combat assaults, Uber has added several safety features to its app over the past couple of years. Those include: RideCheck, which sends a push notification to drivers and riders if there’s an unexpected long stop along the way; on-trip reporting, which lets riders report an incident before the trip has ended; and a text-to-911 feature that includes location information and the car’s make, model and license plate number.

Uber has also created a ride verification system that gives passengers and drivers a unique four-digit PIN. This lets both parties confirm they’ve connecting with the right person before the ride begins. This type of technology is crucial in working to avoid situations like what happened to Josephson, her father told CNET.

On the Friday night that Josephson disappeared, she was out with friends and called an Uber to get home. A black Chevy Impala pulled up and she hopped in. Police later found that the child safety locks in the car were activated, which likely stopped her from being able to escape.

The following morning, Josephson’s roommates called the police after she didn’t come home. As the authorities began their investigation, hunters found her body in the woods about 40 feet from a dirt road. Nathaniel Rowland, 24, was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Josephson.

Josephson was a senior at the University of South Carolina and had planned to start law school the following year. Josephson’s mom, Marci Josephson, said her daughter was always smiling and had a good sense of humor. “She’d light up the room,” Marci said.

“I think she would want us to try to make life safer for people, so this wouldn’t happen again,” she said.

Josephson’s parents have toured college campuses to tell their daughter’s story and to warn others to pay attention when catching rides with Uber and Lyft. They’ve also gotten several colleges, towns and cities to create specified pickup zones that have placards with steps passengers can take to be secure, such as asking the driver “what’s my name” and confirming the license plate number.

“It’s about trying to make this as safe as possible,” Seymour Josephson said. “If they can follow just one or two of those steps, then we’ve done our jobs.”