Alleged Uber driver assault sees drivers bemoan lack of protection, bring in self-imposed curfew
Two teens charged over an alleged crude assault of an Uber driver have faced court as a leading state politician takes aim at Uber.
North & North East
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The Transport Minister has come out swinging against one of the biggest companies in the world, claiming it is responsible for attacks on its workers.
Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the company, Uber, must take some responsibility for assaults on their drivers.
His comments came in the wake on an alleged cruel attack on an innocent driver which left him with broken ribs and a shattered nose.
The Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday heard the attack was allegedly carried out by 18-year-old Salisbury Plain man and his 15-year-old friend on Main North Road at Salisbury Plain.
The Salisbury Plain man, who turned 18 two weeks ago, has been charged with an assault for the alleged attack, and second assault over a separate incident.
Magistrate Ben Sale on Monday described the allegations as a serious example of assault given the driver’s injuries.
The court heard the 18-year-old, a Year 11 student at Northern Senior College, had also allegedly chased him through a parking lot.
Police alleged the 18-year-old also carried out a second alleged assault in the Salisbury Heights McDonald’s car park during which a separate Uber passenger was beaten and the Uber’s windscreen was shattered.
Despite applying for home detention, Mr Sale denied the 18-year-old bail and said the allegations were too serious and there was a need to protect the community.
Mr Koutsantonis deemed the alleged assault “completely unacceptable” and called on the rideshare company to generally better protect their employees.
“Uber has a duty of care to both drivers and passengers,” he said.
“This is a foreign company making a fortune off local labour, and it should be accountable to provide a safe working environment.”
Earlier, as details of the alleged assault came to light, rideshare drivers shared their horror stories built-up while working on SA roads.
Uber driver Adam, who chose to use a pseudonym, said he experienced regular displays and threats of violence while working in the role.
As a result, Adam said, he was planning to cease driving.
Another driver posted online saying he had brought in his own rules to protect himself from similar experiences.
“Very simple, finish your shifts before 11, or at worst midnight, and avoid some areas totally,” a driver wrote.
The allegations came as the Infrastructure and Transport Department reviewed the Passenger Transport Act.
According to the department’s website, the review, submission to which concluded in August last year, will focus on “improving the regulatory standards of all taxis and ridesource (rideshare) operators”.
A department spokesman said the review recommendations were expected to be released by mid-2023 and encouraged rideshare drivers to install their own security provisions.
“Rideshare operators can choose to fit their rideshare vehicles with taxi security camera systems,” he said.
“The department is supportive of these systems being used as they provide safeguards around how footage can be used and stored and are designed to support law enforcement processes if a safety incident occurs.”
Uber has been contacted for comment.
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