Uber introduces new driving hours to keep drivers and riders safe
Drowsy driving is a dangerous, yet common driving hazard in South Africa and it’s no surprise when you consider the long hours and hard work many South Africans endure on a daily basis.
According to Arrive Alive, fatigue-related crashes are three times more likely to result in serious injury or death, compared to other types of road accidents.
In an effort to combat drowsy driving and to keep drivers and riders safe on the roads, Uber has introduced new driving hours whereby drivers will be prompted go offline for six straight hours – after a total of 12 hours of driving time.
“We’re committed to playing our part in preventing drowsy driving, this is why we’re taking a step forward by launching a new feature,” says Uber.
“The move will strengthen our approach to help keep riders and drivers safe on the road, while maintaining flexibility of driving with Uber, which is what drivers love.”
Here’s how it works:
- This feature will count the number of hours you spend driving, which makes it easier for drivers to keep tabs on how long they’ve spent driving with Uber.
- Drivers will receive periodic notifications when approaching the 12-hour driving time limit, and will automatically go offline for six hours when the maximum time has been reached.
- After six hours, driving time resets and drivers can go back online and start receiving trip requests.
Also read: Signs that you’re a drowsy driverÂ
Sources: Uber, Arrive Alive and The Citizen