A ‘dangerous’ new Uber feature is putting the safety of passengers, pedestrians and other road users at risk, Uber drivers have said.
Drivers claim that Uber’s ‘trip radar’ tool distracts them while on the road and has hurt their income.
The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) has launched a petition calling for the driving company to stop using the system, which allows drivers to browse multiple offers at a time and bid against each other for rides.
Trip radar, which 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, forces drivers to bid against each other for rides while on the road.
The feature can send multiple trip offers at one time for drivers to scroll through, and gives more information about a ride compared to the old system.
Uber has told drivers that they only display the most distracting ‘full selection of trips’ when cars are stationary or below 4 miles per hour, a claim that has been disputed by some drivers and the union representing them.
Other drivers reported being flooded with Trip Radar offers at traffic lights and as they slow down for corners, whilst saying the competitive nature of the tool makes them feel pressured to look at their phone and respond to potential bids as quickly as possible.
Trip Radar also leaves drivers in limbo for up to 30 or 40 seconds as they wait to be told whether a ride has been allocated to them, which they complain has caused them to miss crucial turnings or
What are the potential safety risks associated with Uber’s Trip Radar feature? [1]## Interview with Uber Driver about New Trip Radar Feature
**Host:** Today we’re discussing concerns surrounding Uber’s new “Trip Radar” feature. Joining us is [Driver Name], a driver with Uber for the past [Number] years. Welcome to the show, [Driver Name].
**Driver:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** So, can you tell us about this Trip Radar feature and what concerns drivers have about it?
**Driver:** Sure. Basically, Trip Radar is a new feature in the Uber app that shows drivers a constantly updating list of available rides in their vicinity. It’s supposed to help us find more trips and make more money. The problem is, it can be really distracting. [[[[
As
(https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/tech-companies/the-new-uber-feature-which-drivers-warn-is-putting-passengers-at-risk/ar-AA1vw9Nq) points out, Uber claims they only display the full list when the car is stationary or below 4 mph. But my experience and what other drivers are saying is that it’s constantly updating, even when we’re driving.
**Host:** So, you’re saying drivers are tempted to look at this constantly updating list while driving?
**Driver:** Absolutely. It’s hard not to. We’re always striving to earn as much as possible, and seeing that list of potential fares right there can be incredibly tempting. It’s a recipe for distraction, and we all know how dangerous that can be.
**Host:** What are the potential consequences of this distraction?
**Driver:** It puts passengers at risk, plain and simple. If a driver is focused on their phone instead of the road, it increases the chances of an accident. It’s incredibly irresponsible of Uber to implement a feature that encourages this kind of behavior.
**Host:** Uber has responded to these concerns, saying they’ve designed the feature with safety in mind. What do you think about their response?
**Driver:** I find it hard to believe. They claim the feature is only displayed fully when the car is stationary, but as I said, that’s not my experience. This feature is fundamentally flawed and needs to be redesigned with driver and passenger safety as the top priority.
**Host:** [Driver Name], thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this important issue.
**Driver:** My pleasure.
