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Uber drivers warn of 'dangerous' new feature that's ‘putting you at risk’
Home>News
Published 12:49 10 Dec 2024 GMT

Uber drivers warn of 'dangerous' new feature that's ‘putting you at risk’

Drivers say the tool is too distracting

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

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Featured Image Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor / Matthew Horwood / Stringer / Getty
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The last thing you need whilst driving on the roads is distractions.

But Uber's new feature is putting the safety of passengers, pedestrians and other drivers at risk, Uber drivers are claiming.

The app's new 'trip radar' lets drivers see multiple ride offers at once and bid against each other for jobs.

However, drivers have pointed out that the tool distracts them while on the road and has hurt their income.

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The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) has even started a petition to get Uber to ditch the system entirely.

Trip Radar was rolled out in London over the last three months but has been used in airports and other parts of the UK for over a year.

The feature works by showing drivers several ride options to scroll through and shows more information about the ride.

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty

While Uber says it only displays the full list when cars are stationary or moving very slowly (under 4 mph), many drivers disagree.

Some drivers reported being flooded with offers whilst slowing down for traffic lights or even corners. They also said they felt pressured to quickly check and respond to the bids.

Not only that but Trip Radar keeps drivers waiting for 30 or 40 seconds to find out if the ride has been allocated to them, causing them to miss important turnings or exits.

"It is only a matter of time until someone loses their lives," the General Secretary of the ADCU has warned.

Matthew Horwood / Stringer / Getty
Matthew Horwood / Stringer / Getty

Zamir Dreni, who has worked as a private hire driver for 25 years, criticised the app: "For me, it is a disaster waiting to happen with the roads being congested and the number of cyclists.

"I have received complaints from drivers left, right and centre.

"It is so distracting and dangerous because you have to check: how much is the job, where is it going, is it the right price.

"Then you have to beat yourself up that you could have got it for a higher price."

Dreni added: "Uber is playing around with drivers by initially giving you six or seven jobs at the same time. The job is not guaranteed. Imagine how distracting that is when you are driving."

Dreni said the old system would only send exclusive offers to drivers and was far ‘less distracting.

After the app update, he said drivers are being played against each other: "The job is not guaranteed because everyone is bidding for it."

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