Hawaii lawmakers look to regulate companies like Uber, Lyft
ASSOCIATED PRESS / OCT. 2015
In this file photo, the Uber app is used in New York.
Hawaii lawmakers are considering a bill to close the gap in car insurance coverage for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.
Supporters of the bill say right now, Uber and Lyft drivers might not be covered by insurance for accidents and injuries depending on whether a passenger is in the car. The Hawaii bill would set rules for insurance requirements for transportation network companies and their drivers.
The bill would’ve originally set regulations for insurance for self-storage facilities, but was gutted to replace the language with rules about insurance for companies such as Uber and Lyft.
The Honolulu City Council is also considering a proposal to treat transportation network companies like taxis, but opponents say it could drive companies like Uber and Lyft out of the state.
14 responses to “Hawaii lawmakers look to regulate companies like Uber, Lyft”
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This is a good thing the legislators have done, because regulation is a means to assure that rules®ulations will be followed by the public. There has to be a ‘control’ of sorts to set the bar.
Why stop there? What about laws fore bidding people from riding in the back of a open bed truck while traveling on the freeway? Then ticketing passenger’s in a moving vehicle because they’re not wearing a seatbelt?
Or not ticketing a moped for loud excessive noise for modified mufflers on 2-stroke engine? There is a meter that actually measures noise As Swann so elegantly described it in a cartoon- decibel meter.
Or motorcycle riders not wearing a helmut? Could be saved in case of an accident.
Some laws really make sense, however there are those that don’t.
Insurance limits need to be set for Uber and Lyft but thats as far as the restrictions to go,
There is already a state wide requirement for every car on the road to be insured. The taxi companies more than likely donated money to the right democrats to get this going.
If you think the taxi companies haven’t been greasing the palms of the politicians your crazy. This has the least to do with safety and most to do with good lobbyist.
Bingo
Agree
Also agree, but that statement can be made for almost all legislature!! Lottery is a good point!! But on this issuer, how do the other states handle this–let’s not reinvent the wheel!!
What really smells here is the fact that Sam Kong, a local politician, also owns a taxi company and wants to see Uber and Lyft “go away”. Is Sam Kong representing his constituency or simply acting in his own self-interest? You decide…
“The bill would’ve originally set regulations for insurance for self-storage facilities, but was gutted to replace the language with rules about insurance for companies such as Uber and Lyft.”
It doesn’t matter if they pass empty bills that they plan on later “filling in the blanks”, when they can just totally change everything in a bill half way thru the process.
Would love to see this headline: “Hawaii lawmakers look to regulate themselves”
Stop trying to regulate everything. Let the free market be free.
Until your grandchild is permanently harmed in some way and you immediately suit the C&C or state. Then you would be screaming….”Where was the safety law?”
“Supporters of the bill say right now, Uber and Lyft drivers might not be covered by insurance for accidents and injuries depending on whether a passenger is in the car.”>>> Aren’t “we all” supposed to have O’bamacare. If people are doing what they’re supposed to, this is a non-issue.
Regardless of what you call it, someone who carries passengers for payment is public transportation, which should covered by all public safety requirements-background checks, liability insurance, equipment safety inspections, and known fares. If Uber/Lyft can’t meet public safety requirements, they should leave. The greedy people who want them without these public safety requirements will be the first to sue the State and City, when they suffer injury.
If all these safety requirements are not needed, remove them for all. Level playing field for all.