Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      Vodacom fibre play pushes Maziv valuation above Telkom’s

      20 July 2025

      Crypto industry shoots for mainstream adoption

      20 July 2025

      Vodacom’s Maziv deal gets makeover ahead of crucial hearing

      18 July 2025

      Cut electricity prices for data centres: Andile Ngcaba

      18 July 2025

      Takealot taps Mr D to deliver toys, pet food and future growth

      18 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025

      TCS+ | MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market

      11 July 2025

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » Uber to boost safety measures in South Africa as accidents rise

    Uber to boost safety measures in South Africa as accidents rise

    By Agency Staff26 April 2021
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp
    Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

    Uber South Africa pledged to increase safety campaigns for food delivery drivers and review the insurance they provide following a recent exposé about the mounting risks faced by drivers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The Thomson Reuters Foundation exposé, published earlier this month, found a lack of training and safety equipment as rising numbers of mainly migrant drivers take to the roads to earn a living, and poorly advertised and often insufficient insurance cover.

    Figures obtained by the Thomson Reuters Foundation showed a 30% jump in road accidents involving food couriers in May and June last year as South Africa eased its lockdown and the numbers of drivers rose.

    We prioritise the safety of everyone who uses our app and we work hard everyday to be the best we can be, but there is always room for improvement

    “As a business, we prioritise the safety of everyone who uses our app and we work hard everyday to be the best we can be, but there is always room for improvement,” said Samantha Fuller, spokeswoman for Uber in sub-Saharan Africa.

    “We will be running more education campaigns in May and June… We will be looking at the engagement channels we use for this and how we can better make sure key information gets to our delivery partners,” she said in e-mailed comments.

    Increased frequency

    Although these campaigns were already planned, Uber confirmed that they will be increasing the frequency to ensure more drivers know of the safety offerings available to them, such as emergency assistance and injury protection.

    Of 27 delivery drivers interviewed for this article — all of whom were migrants and involved in accidents — only five knew of any insurance scheme by gig platforms, including one who got compensation for lost income.

    This compensation was from local grocery delivery company, Checkers Sixty60, but the driver in question said the amount of R5 200 was not enough to cover his medical costs.

    Drivers and analysts fear the number of logged accidents was just the tip of the iceberg as many drivers avoid reporting incidents due to their undocumented status in South Africa and concern of losing jobs.

    Lawyers and rights groups said insurance policies did not do enough to protect drivers, capping medical coverage to 180 days, and requiring drivers to spend 48 hours in hospital before qualifying for lost wages.

    One driver reported feeling “abandoned” after he was hit by a car, broke his toe and could not work, or walk, for one month after the accident. Uber told him he did not qualify for compensation as he was in hospital for less than 48 hours.

    It would be great if Uber could also get people on the ground and talk to the drivers face to face

    Uber confirmed that the company was reviewing the time it takes for insurance to kick in for drivers following the story.

    “We hope this is not just talk but also action,” said Duane Bernard, the head of a national, informal Uber Eats union. “It would be great if Uber could also get people on the ground and talk to the drivers face to face,” added Bernard, saying that this would help overcome language barriers rather than “just sending out an e-mail now and then”.

    Migrants

    About 70% of drivers are migrants, according to the Motorcycle Safety Institute, a local training and research organisation, while Bernard puts the number at 95%.

    Two other food delivery companies, Checkers Sixty60 and Mr D Food, also mentioned in the story, did not respond to questions about improving drivers’ safety.

    “We’re committed to doing the right thing and take on our part of the responsibility to better safety in the industry,” said Fuller.  — Reported by Kim Harrisberg, (c) 2021 Thomson Reuters Foundation



    Mr D Food Samantha Fuller top Uber Uber Eats
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleMantashe raises power licence threshold – but it’s not nearly enough
    Next Article Vodacom, MTN groupings formally submit bids to enter Ethiopia

    Related Posts

    South African law is failing gig-economy workers

    12 June 2025

    Spar plots comeback with click-to-door groceries, own brands

    4 June 2025

    ‘Afrikaans Uber’ sparks controversy

    27 January 2025
    Company News

    Vertiv to acquire custom rack solutions manufacturer

    18 July 2025

    SA businesses embrace gen AI – but strategy and skills are lagging

    17 July 2025

    Ransomware in South Africa: the human factor behind the growing crisis

    16 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.