Busy cities like Chicago are a hub for rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. These services provide a convenient mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. However, the increase in rideshare vehicles on the roads also brings a rise in traffic accidents. What issues are often behind these collisions?
1. Distracted driving
One of the most significant factors leading to rideshare accidents is distracted driving. Rideshare drivers use many different apps to do their jobs. They may receive messages or use navigation apps to help them get to their passenger’s destination.
As a result, drivers may focus their eyes or thoughts more on their screens than on the road, even if they use hands-free devices. This can cause them to miss critical traffic signals or fail to notice pedestrians. In fact, drivers may miss as much as half of the information around them.
2. Aggressive driving
Rideshare drivers, under pressure to complete trips quickly and maximize their earnings, may engage in speeding or aggressive driving behaviors. This includes unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and failing to yield the right of way. Such actions increase the risk of collisions, particularly when combined with the typical congestion of a major city artery.
3. Fatigue
Rideshare drivers often work long hours, and many of them use driving to supplement their income from another job or to support themselves during school. This means that many are behind the wheel after a long day of work or classes. These long days can leave drivers fatigued, leading to slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and decreased awareness of surroundings.
While rideshare services offer a convenient mode of transportation, that convenience sometimes comes at the cost of the safety of passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Being aware of these risks and your rights in a rideshare crash can help you protect yourself on the road.