EXTRA PRECAUTIONS FOR UBER DRIVERS
Uber Eats Drivers Caught in the Crossfire of South Africa’s Violent Crime
Published By Everything ZA Travel
Recent reports of violent attacks on Uber Eats drivers in South Africa have painted a grim picture of the dangers that these freelancers face on a daily basis. But at a recent meeting with Uber Eats management, drivers, and the media, a different side of the story emerged.
The meeting was held to emphasize safety for drivers, and Uber Eats head of operations for sub-Saharan Africa Charles Mhango made it clear that he does not want anyone to risk their lives. He acknowledged that there are many dangerous areas in South Africa where Uber Eats cannot deliver, and that the company is working to address this issue.
One of the challenges that Uber Eats drivers face is the country’s unique landscape, with its often illogical addresses. To help drivers navigate this challenging terrain, Uber Eats provides each driver with a smartphone with the driver app installed. The app offers chat support for problems drivers experience as they arise, and it also includes a safety toolkit.
Mhango explained that the product team in San Francisco works on localized issues that drivers report to them. An important feature of the app is the security button, which allows drivers to share their location immediately with the Uber support team if they feel threatened, have been robbed, or have had an accident.
If an Uber Eats driver has an accident and is injured or attacked on a delivery trip, they are covered by insurance from AIG. Mhango encouraged drivers not to take unnecessary risks and to report problems immediately if they feel they are in a dangerous place or situation. He emphasized that the company needs to collect data in order to make informed decisions, and that information is their biggest tool.
Some drivers reported that they could deliver to certain areas before 7pm, but that after nightfall they were no longer safe. Mhango said that this is the sort of information that Uber Eats needs to know in order to make informed decisions about refusing to deliver to certain areas at night, or even closing down a particular area altogether.
The Uber Eats meeting highlighted the complex challenges that drivers face in South Africa, as well as the company’s commitment to safety. It remains to be seen whether Uber Eats’ safety initiatives will be enough to protect drivers from the dangers of violent crime, but the meeting provided a glimmer of hope that the company is taking this issue seriously.
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