One might think that people driving passengers for money would be more competent drivers and would take extra care when transporting people in their care. The problem is that there is no guarantee about what kind of driver will answer the call when a ride is hailed.

The fact is that Uber and Lyft drivers are not professional drivers in the same sense as taxicab or limousine drivers. They do not receive any type of training or supervision and are not required to have any specific type of experience as a safe driver or simply driving in general.

Experienced cab drivers know the city like the back of their hand, but a driver for a ridesharing company may be completely unfamiliar with the destination. This means the driver will rely more heavily on GPS and map apps on the driver’s phone or vehicle console. Adding to the driver’s distractions from keeping eyes and attention on the road, the driver may be continually responding to ride requests as well.

Additionally, most Uber and Lyft drivers are not full-time drivers for the ridesharing apps. Most have full-time day jobs and are driving as a side hustle to pick up extra cash after a long day of work. Drivers also need to put in lots of time behind the wheel to make good money. These factors can contribute to fatigue or drowsy driving, a leading cause of car accidents.

Another safety factor that differentiates ridesharing apps from taxi services is that cab companies have in-house mechanics who service vehicles daily. There are no requirements on Uber and Lyft drivers to inspect their vehicles regularly or maintain them to a certain degree. Recent reports have uncovered large numbers of Uber and Lyft vehicles subject to open recalls. Whether a vehicle is well-maintained and safe depends solely on the diligence of the individual driver.