Traffic jam in Nairobi, Kenya. [Photo/thisisafricame]
Uber has rolled out a series of Safety information sessions for partner drivers across Middle-East and Africa, partnering with Road Safety experts and local Police representatives, to design and share tailor-made Safety tips for drivers as well as give them an opportunity to discuss their personal and road safety challenges with subject matter experts.
For Uber in Kenya, partnering with Automotive Association of Kenya (AAK) has initiated a series of 30 Driver’s Safety Tips workshops to take place in Nairobi and allow Uber partner drivers to focus on defensive driving, first aid, traffic rules and vehicle maintenance.
Such initiatives will serve as knowledge exchange imparting tips to driver-partners and giving them an opportunity to discuss their personal and road safety challenges with subject matter experts.
Commenting about the first driver’s safety workshop held at its Nairobi Greenlight Hub, Loic Amado, Uber’s General Manager in East Africa, said “The safety of riders and drivers using the Uber app is our priority. Similar to the Riders Safety Tips we launched a couple of months ago, the Driver Safety Tips are designed to help drivers feel empowered to be safe and make safe decisions before, during, and after every ride.,” said Amado.
According to National Transport and Safety Authority’s Road Safety Status Report, released last year, Nairobi County contributed 22 percent of all the national fatalities remained in 2015, recording a total of 668 deaths, the majority being pedestrians at 497 deaths.
“Uber is constantly working to make cities better and that includes listening to those who protect and serve our communities every day. We listened to and incorporated feedback from law enforcement and safety subject matter experts in developing these tips to ensure drivers follow local traffic laws and help protect pedestrians,” added Mr. Amado.
Commenting on the initiative, AAK Head of Driving School, Philip Kimeu said, “We are excited to partner with Uber Kenya and equip and appraise existing and incoming drivers with road safety tips. Through this partnership, we will be able to promote safe and responsible driving while facilitating meaningful livelihood for youth.”
Wema Cecilia, an Uber driver-partner hailed the move as a necessary requirement that will arm many drivers weather many road safety challenges that exist in Nairobi. “It is a necessary requirement providing insights on many issues of road safety that drivers assume they know,” said Ms. Cecilia.
Uber has promoted the safety of its riders and driver-partners through features such as GPS tracked trips, a rating, and feedback system that ensures two-way accountability and information provided to riders about the car and driver such as the driver-partners name, photo, license plate number and the make of the car.
Recently, Uber launched a personal accident insurance cover which goes a step further in enhancing the safety of riders.
The cover which ensures riders for accidental medical expenses, hospital confinement, ambulance emergency, death or serious injury suffered by a passenger amongst others also complements the PSV insurance that each Uber driver-partner has for their vehicles