Ride-Sharing In Québec – Is It As Safe As You Think?

Have you considered the safety of the vehicle you’re stepping into when ride-sharing? 6.6% of Canadians are currently making the most of ride-sharing services and this figure is expected to rise to 8.6% in 2022. However, there have been calls for mandatory vehicle checks and safety inspections on vehicles which participate in the scheme to protect the lives of riders and other road users. There’s the potential that this could put the scheme in jeopardy, though, as, Uber threatened to cease operation in Québec last year and introducing new legislation could be the final nail in the coffin for the company.

The risks

A notable road traffic incident involving a ride-sharing vehicle on Québec’s roads happened in October 2016 when 30-year-old Katy Torres Davila tragically died when the vehicle she was traveling in crashed into a minivan. The vehicle was in poor condition despite being just four years old and had worn brakes and unroadworthy tires. This accident is evidence that the passengers using Québec’s ride-sharing service have no idea what condition the service vehicles are in and whether they are legal and roadworthy. According to Chaffin Luhana LLP attorneys, 64% of the 37,461 road deaths in 2016 were passengers in the vehicle and this further shows the need for passengers to be cautious of any road transport they wish to travel in.

What the law says

The law surrounding ride-sharing is a tricky one. It was only at the start of 2016 that Québec adopted Transport Network Companies (TNCs) bylaws which required Uber drivers to hold a taxi permit. However, a court ruling in 2017 gave Uber drivers authorization to operate without obtaining a permit. Additionally, vehicle insurance must be in place and an approved ride-sharing policy must be purchased.

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

As a user of a ride-sharing service, you benefit from cheaper fares than those of more traditional public transport, such as cabs or buses. Ride-sharing is also convenient as users can quickly arrange a ride via an app on their phone, meaning, no matter where you or what you’re doing, you can be sure of a ride. Drivers can also make a reasonable amount of cash from the fees they charge their passengers, some of which, of course, will be used to cover additional gas costs and insurance premiums. Both driver and passenger are also safer as fares are paid electronically, so there are no cash transactions, which is a deterrent to thieves.

Ride-sharing is beneficial to many of Québec’s residents, however, there are risks to consider before utilizing the service.