Is Uber Safer Than Taxis in Clearwater?

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident Lawyer Near Clearwater Florida

Is Uber Safer Than Taxis?

Uber and Taxis offer convenient travel alternatives for commuters, tourists, or those enjoying a night on the town. Some see Uber’s rideshare system as more secure than taxis. However, is Uber safer than taxis? 

The answer may depend on your specific needs and what elements of safety matter most to you. Whatever your decision, if you experience an Uber accident or a Taxi accident, an experienced attorney can help you recover your losses.

Uber and Taxi Driver Safety Comparison

Yellow Cab/United Taxi is a significant taxi network serving Clearwater. Drivers for Yellow Cab and Uber both undergo screenings before being hired. The respective companies conduct driver background checks and review driving histories, requiring a clean record over the prior seven years. Both Uber and Yellow Cab only hire qualifying applicants aged 23 or older. 

Uber drivers must complete training for your safety on how to use the company app, the navigation system, and for “recognizing and standing up to sexual harassment.” Yellow Cab requires two to three days of “local orientation” and safety awareness. 

Vehicle Recognition and Driver Profiles 

Uber provides riders access to driver profiles. Riders can “match” their driver to the profile and verify their ride through Uber’s PIN verification system. Passengers can also rate the driver, an added incentive to encourage professionalism and safety.

Florida’s taxi drivers must display their photo IDs and chauffeur’s licenses in the vehicle. While most taxi networks do not allow for driver ratings, Yellow Cab has a local office and “responsive management team” available to address concerns.

Uber provides drivers with a removable Uber decal so the vehicle is easier to identify. Section 122-1 of the Pinellas County Municipal Code requires taxis and other commercial vehicles to have identifying details on both sides of the vehicle, including the operating company’s name and phone number of a specified height and “in contrasting color.”

Vehicle Safety Standards and Requirements for Uber and Taxi Cabs 

Florida does not put an age limit on rideshare vehicles. However, according to the company’s minimum vehicle requirements, Uber vehicles:

  • May not be older than 16 years
  • Must have four doors
  • Be in good condition
  • Must not have cosmetic damage

Additional conditions apply for ride-upgrade vehicles. The Pinellas Municipal Code does not impose additional standards on commercial vehicles, but Yellow Cab describes its fleet as “clean, well-maintained.” 

Security and Safety Features During Trips

Uber has in-app safety features, allowing riders to share their trip locations. Someone outside the vehicle always knows its location. In an emergency, Uber passengers can call 911 within the app, and dispatchers can immediately see trip information and location. 

Uber also has the RideCheck feature. If the system picks up on a ride going off course or a collision, the RideCheck triggers a check-in response for drivers and riders. However, if your Uber is in an accident, it is important to seek medical attention and call for emergency personnel. 

Yellow Cab has in-vehicle security cameras to keep drivers and passengers safe. The network also has computer dispatch software that can determine the location of each vehicle in the fleet at any time. Not every company follows the same protocols, so potential passengers should do some investigating before requesting a ride.

Payment Protections for Passengers

As for payments, Uber riders pay through the app–no cash passes hands–and they can exit the car quickly at the end of the ride. However, Uber fares tend to fluctuate. Riders may see surge pricing when traveling during peak hours or to popular events. 

Taxi rates are fixed, and meters are within riders’ eyesight throughout the trip. Drivers can accept cash or credit card payments, and Yellow Cab taxis are equipped with in-vehicle credit card swipes.

Contact the Pinellas County Car Accident Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg car accident law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 349-1728