LAS VEGAS, Nev. FOX5 – Crackdown on Fake Rideshare Drivers in Las Vegas
This holiday weekend, Uber and the Nevada Transportation Authority NTA are joining forces to crack down on fake rideshare drivers, a growing issue in Las Vegas.
According to John Foster, Chief of Enforcement for the NTA, You can get a placard easily and pretend to be an Uber driver. Many fake drivers, often in black SUVs, resemble legitimate Uber and Lyft vehicles but aren’t licensed.
The NTA views this as a serious public safety concern. People are being picked up by drivers without proper background checks or insurance. I’ve been working with hotels on the Strip and Downtown to address this problem. Large groups are posing as Uber drivers without permits, asking if you need a ride, Foster explained.
For the first time, Uber is working directly with a state agency to tackle this issue.
This problem is more noticeable in Las Vegas due to the high number of tourists, said Harry Hartfield, Uber’s Senior Public Affairs Manager. Although the NTA regulates 36,000 licensed drivers in the Vegas Valley, some drivers aren’t following the rules.
If 10,000 of these drivers are handing out business cards, that’s a big problem, Foster said. Accepting a business card from a legitimate rideshare driver for a future off-app trip is risky because commercial insurance doesn’t apply unless the ride is booked through the app. “In Nevada, there’s a $1.5 million insurance policy, Hartfield noted.
Drivers caught offering illegal rides in Nevada face vehicle impoundment and a $10,000 fine, which is more common than people might think. We’re catching about five illegal drivers a week. It’s very challenging, but we’re working hard to control this crisis, Foster told FOX5.
The NTA has undercover investigators posing as tourists to catch fake rideshare drivers in the act. However, they emphasize that tips from the public are crucial in stopping fake Ubers. You can report suspicious drivers via this link.
For your safety, always verify the driver’s identity and the license plate number on your app before getting into a rideshare vehicle.