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Perhaps it would not be different. But maybe this whole time it should have been different, and the centralization provided by ride share apps like Grab now mak
by zamfi 8y ago
Perhaps it would not be different. But maybe this whole time it should have been different, and the centralization provided by ride share apps like Grab now make it feasible for it to be different.
So I don’t buy this argument, and I think it’s a dangerous one. The hyperbolic, oblivious version of what you’re saying is: “well, when there were many taxi companies, it was a Wild West with no tracking and little accountability, why should that change now that the tech lets you call a cab from a phone?”
The technology we use to hail cabs provides new business opportunities, and those are actively being pursued. But also the centralization of these operations also provides new regulatory opportunities — perhaps we should be taking advantage of those too!
- dorfsmay 8y agoThe author talks about compromises we made in accepting technology. I'm pretty sure she doesn't argue it should have been different. Now, let's address your question, should it be different? Sure, but not taxi vs people driving. All drivers should be targeted, not just professional drivers. This is not like airliners vs general aviation, because those two very rarely share paths and runway, while we all share the same roads. If I die as a taxi passenger because the other driver made a mistake, I'll still be dead. Also, deaths on the road in the western world has been drastically declining because of campaign and laws against drunk driving, enforcement of speed limits, better engineering of roads and car safety. What are you proposing here for technology to increase road safety when you are saying maybe it should be different?
- maxander 8y agoPeople driving taxis and Ubers certainly do have reason to be vetted at a higher standard than regular drivers, since for the most part they're spending much more time driving than anyone else; this leads to a much higher risk-per-driver if one is unsafe. This is comparable to how there are special licensing requirements, above and beyond the typical driver's license, in order to drive a truck or a bus (and, IIRC, even higher requirements to drive a schoolbus.)