The Toronto City Council approved a significant motion on Thursday aimed at enhancing accountability for vehicles-for-hire, specifically to ensure better support for customers and police during emergencies. This motion was introduced by City Councillor Mike Colle following a disturbing incident involving a Toronto mother, Julia Viscomi, whose five-year-old daughter was mistakenly left in an Uber vehicle.
Viscomi shared her harrowing experience during a council meeting, recounting the events of March 10, when her family had to take an Uber home after experiencing a flat tire. The family of six discussed a plan where her partner would unload their other three children while she went to open the garage door with a remote. However, upon returning to the vehicle, she discovered that the driver had driven away with her daughter still inside.
The incident led to a wide range of emotions for Viscomi, including shock, panic, and frustration. "Initially, it was shock; then it was panic, and then it was terror, anger, frustration, dread," she expressed during her testimony at City Hall. Fortunately, the police located the driver, and the young girl was safely reunited with her mother, but the incident raised critical concerns about the safety protocols in place for ride-hailing services.
In response to the incident, Uber acknowledged the distressing nature of the situation in a statement, indicating that they were reviewing the details internally. However, the ride-hailing company insisted that they had followed their internal protocols during the incident. Councillor Mike Colle subsequently brought forward a motion aimed at compelling Uber to explain their actions and policies regarding emergency situations.
The approved motion calls for a reassessment of the current regulatory framework governing the vehicle-for-hire industry in Toronto, which, as it stands, does not offer sufficient remedies for passengers in emergencies, nor does it impose penalties on negligent operators. Colle stated, "Hopefully, we can get them to change this policy, which we think is not realistic," emphasizing the need for improved communication protocols to aid police and customers during emergencies. He added that if Uber does not amend its policy, the Toronto legal department would consider further action.
For Viscomi, the passage of Colle's motion provides a sense of validation. She stated, "This is a validation. This tells me that this is a concern to everybody. The fact that it was passed speaks for itself." This feedback reflects a growing awareness and concern regarding passenger safety in the ride-hailing industry.
Additionally, Uber's existing policy aims to protect both riders and drivers in serious safety situations by not allowing direct contact between them. They stated that when police reached out in this case, they provided the necessary protocol for an expedited request to ensure a swift response. However, this incident and the subsequent council motion highlight the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and accountability within the vehicle-for-hire sector in Toronto.
