One in four report driver misbehaviour as NSW expands guidelines
More than one in four women have been subjected to inappropriate behavior, including being asked sexual questions, by carpooling and taxi drivers, according to NSW government data, as the state looks to mandate behavioral training for drivers.
The Minn. government on Sunday announced that the state’s Point-to-Point Transportation Commission, which regulates taxis and ride-sharing businesses, will issue guidelines to operators on how their internal systems should respond to driver behavior that threatens women’s safety.
While existing laws state that companies have a responsibility to manage safety risks, the government’s move will enable platforms such as Uber and Didi to define what constitutes offensive and unacceptable behavior and require drivers to undergo relevant training. The guidelines will also outline how a company should manage incidents and complaints effectively.
Unwanted attention, intrusive or inappropriate comments, asking sexual questions, and staring or invading personal space are all examples of offensive and inappropriate behavior that would fall under the rules.
The rules come at a time when there are reports of high levels of harassment in rideshares. On Sunday, the government released survey data from last year that found a quarter of women had experienced some form of inappropriate behavior when traveling alone in carpools and taxis, but only six in 10 women reported these incidents.
Last month, this imprint reported that Uber drivers accused of sexual harassment and threatening behavior were allowed back on the road following wrongful termination lawsuits because the ride-sharing giant did not want alleged victims to testify about their experiences.
This pattern emerged last year after the introduction of Albanian government laws allowing gig economy workers to seek unfair dismissal-style protection; It triggered a series of objections from Uber drivers who claimed the bans imposed on them were unwarranted and that the company’s investigation processes were inadequate.
In many cases, the Fair Work Commission has ruled that the driver’s access to Uber should be restored, largely because the company did not provide first-hand evidence from the complaining passenger.
Speaking about the new state rules, NSW Transport Minister John Graham said that although most carpooling journeys were safe, data showed women were at higher risk of encountering behavior that caused discomfort or fear.
“Whether you’re cruising the city during the day or enjoying our vibrant city at night, this initiative will help ensure every traveler feels safe and respected during every carpool, taxi and rental car trip,” Graham said.
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Elias Visontay is the National Consumer Affairs Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
