Uber says it has introduced a number of measures aimed at enhancing the safety of its driver-partners and their passengers.
Some of the measures are compulsory rest period for driver-partners registered on the Uber app, insurance policy and holding regular safety workshops.
The General Manager, West Africa at Uber, Lola Kassim, gave the indication in Lagos while speaking with journalists on the safety campaign organised by the organisation.
She said, “At Uber, we are committed to safety and are always working to build a better experience for driver-partners.
“It made sense for us to collaborate with relevant safety and security experts, and organisations like AXA Mansard to organise a workshop that provides driver-partners with relevant and useful safety tips.”
She said the about six-hour rest period was designed for the driver-partners to enable them to regain their strength and improve their health, a measure she said was taken to avert accidents occasioned by fatigue.
According to her, after putting the maximum number of hours, the Uber app for a driver-partner will switch the fellow off the platform and could only reopen after the mandatory rest time.
“The driver safety tips are designed to help driver-partners feel empowered to be safe and help them make safe decisions before, during, and after every ride,” Kassim said.
Speaking on the safety workshop, the Greenlight Operations Manager for West Africa, O’Yoma Ukueku, said, “At Uber, we’re constantly working to help make cities safer and that includes listening to those who protect and serve our communities every day.
“The workshop was designed to give driver-partners access to knowledge and information facilitated by subject matter experts on a wide variety of subjects that are critical to safety while on trips.
“As safety is a critical pillar to us at Uber, we are striving to ensure that driver-partners have access to information that improves the quality and safety of rides.”
The safety sessions attended by the driver-partners were facilitated by safety and security experts and a specialised local team from AXA Mansard, Ukueku said.
A statement by Uber also said it recently announced its new safety toolkit, which began a phased rollout to over 13,400 active riders and over 9,000 active drivers across Nigeria.
It stated that the toolkit would introduce new innovative features such as a driver in-app emergency button and speed alerts, aimed to raise the bar on safety.