Recently, I had an unsettling experience during a rideshare journey. This episode, coupled with alarming incidents involving women being assaulted or trafficked while using rideshare services, has driven me to act. Rideshares have become an essential part of daily life, including for children traveling to school. Ensuring the safety of all passengers should be a priority.

One practical and impactful solution is to require rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, to install dash cameras in every vehicle. These cameras should operate during the entire duration of each trip, with footage securely stored and accessible by the rideshare companies. Not only will this safeguard riders, but it can also protect drivers by providing impartial evidence during disputes or incidents.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women will be raped at some point in their lives, and the anonymity of rideshare vehicles can unfortunately provide opportunities for such tragic events to occur. A 2018 CNN investigation found that at least 103 Uber drivers in the United States had been accused of sexually assaulting or abusing their passengers over a four-year period. These figures highlight an urgent need for increased security measures in the rideshare industry.

By mandating dash cameras, we can work toward preventing such crimes, offering peace of mind to users, especially women and parents who trust rideshares to safely transport their children. It's a feasible step forward to drastically reduce instances of harassment and assault on the road.

Please join me in urging all rideshare companies to prioritize safety by introducing dash cameras in all vehicles. Sign this petition to take a stand for safety and security in rideshare services.