Study Shows That Professional Drivers Working Multiple Jobs Can Be More Dangerous on The Roads

According to statistics, more than 80 percent of ride-hail drivers feel unsafe in their profession, and more than 20 percent of American drivers carry weapons in their cars to protect themselves. The driving profession is inherently unsafe, and this especially applies to taxi drivers and those who drive for ride-hail services, such as Lyft and Uber, who face a number of safety risks on the road; from accidents, to injuries, to harassment, and more.

One recent study examined the specific correlation between ride-hail and other professional drivers who have to work multiple jobs – and the lifestyle consequences that result, such as low income and a lack of rest – to look at how this affects driving behaviors, only to find (perhaps unsurprisingly) that multi-job professional drivers tend to take more risks, such as running red lights, and can therefore be more dangerous on the roads.

Reasons & Consequences

There are a number of reasons that drivers would have to work on several driving platforms at once, or even work for ride-hail and taxi companies while holding another, entirely different job: Usually it is primarily because they do not make enough income from professional driving alone, nor do they receive any of the safety net measures that tend to come with more full-time salaried jobs, such as healthcare insurance. As a result, they are more likely to suffer from sleep deprivation, stress, and reduced performance, and this can lead to an increased risk of drowsy driving accidents, as well as working off-hours, late at night, when passengers are more likely to potentially be intoxicated and/or engaging in risky, dangerous behavior themselves. As a result, these drivers are also more likely to carry weapons to protect themselves.

Having to work multiple jobs also means drivers are often going to be in more of a hurry to make their stops so that they can complete more overall rides in general during their shifts, and in order to do this, engage in such risks as making illegal U-turns, running lights, and/or speeding; just to name a few risky roadside behaviors.

Contact Our Macon, Georgia Ride-Sharing Accident Attorneys Today

There is no question that making a number of changes to the field of ride-sharing driving, such as providing better wages, mandatory paid breaks, and greater safety protections for drivers, would better protect everyone on the roads. Still, accidents involving these drivers and vehicles continue to occur, and ride-sharing accidents are often incredibly complex and demand a particular type of legal professional who specifically has experience working on them.

At the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, our Macon Uber accident attorneys provide insight into these types of accidents and correlating injuries, and can help you determine whether you can recover compensation in connection with your ride-sharing accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out more.

Source:

theconversation.com/safety-on-the-line-drivers-who-juggle-multiple-jobs-are-more-likely-to-take-risks-on-the-road-214051