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What Californians Need to Know about the Sexual Assault Against Rideshare Passengers and Drivers Prevention and Accountability Act
Why This Matters:
In light of recent reporting documenting Uber’s festering sexual assault problem, this measure is designed to prevent sexual assaults by requiring meaningful background checks for all drivers, and hold the company accountable for their gross negligence and repeated failures to remove accused drivers from their network. With court records revealing that Uber received a report of sexual misconduct every eight minutes, these measures are urgently needed to ensure Uber takes responsibility for public safety.
What it Does:
In light of recent reporting documenting Uber’s festering sexual assault problem, this measure is designed to prevent sexual assaults by requiring meaningful background checks for all drivers, and hold the company accountable for their gross negligence and repeated failures to remove accused drivers from their network. With court records revealing that Uber received a report of sexual misconduct every eight minutes, these measures are urgently needed to ensure Uber takes responsibility for public safety.
Strengthens basic safety protections by requiring annual fingerprinting and background checks for rideshare drivers, closing gaps that have allowed dangerous individuals to remain on these platforms.
Holds rideshare companies legally responsible for their ongoing negligence in sexual misconduct cases, making clear that companies cannot escape accountability by hiding behind independent-contractor classifications when riders or drivers are harmed.
Treats rideshare companies like the essential transportation providers they are by classifying them as “common carriers” under California law, the same legal standard that applies to taxis, buses, and trains
Imposes a heightened duty of care on rideshare companies, rejecting the idea that corporations moving millions of Californians every day should be held to a lower safety standard than traditional transit providers.
Requires monthly public reporting of sexual misconduct incidents and mandates that riders be warned of known risks associated with a matched driver.
Uber as a Common Carrier:
Common carriers are privately owned companies that offer services that are deemed essential to the wellbeing of the public, meaning they have a legal obligation to serve anyone able to pay. Common carriers typically include airlines, railways, and taxis. Such services are also required to exercise a higher level of care for their passengers and can be held liable for damage caused in transit. This measure would designate rideshare companies as a common carrier and require them to exercise a higher standard of accountability for the actions of their drivers.
Accountability for Sexual Assaults:
In addition to becoming common carriers, this measure would also force rideshare companies to take accountability for their repeated failures to address the sexual assault crisis in their vehicles. Companies like Uber would be legally liable for assaults against riders and drivers, would have to publish monthly reports on sexual assaults that occur on their watch, and warn riders about accused drivers, something they have failed to do in the past.
Trusted Advocates Agree:
“Today, more than ever, we should all be concerned about sexual assault. For years women have come to us looking for answers, accountability, and safety after the worst happened to them in an Uber...We should all be on the same side of safety.”
Susan Jones Knape
Founder & President of A Case for Women