Uber released a safety report that found there were 3,045 reported sexual assaults last year among drivers and passengers.
The study from the ride-sharing company found that there were 235 reported rapes, an increase from 229 in 2017. Reports of nonconsensual touching of a sexual body part and kissing of a nonsexual body part also increased.
Despite the number of reports, more than 99.9% of rides have zero issues. The report notes that there are an average of 3.1 million Uber rides each day in America and that the vast majority have no safety issues at all.
“Confronting sexual violence requires honesty, and it’s only by shining a light on these issues that we can begin to provide clarity on something that touches every corner of society,” said Uber’s chief legal officer Tony West.
“And, most importantly, by bringing hard data to bear, we can make every trip safer for drivers and riders alike,” he added.
The 84-page study also addresses car crashes. Over the past two years, 107 people were killed in 97 crashes. The study found that of those, 90% occurred in urban areas.
The report came just days after competitor Lyft was sued in San Francisco by 19 women over accusations that drivers sexually assaulted and harassed women during their rides.
Uber identified a number of ways it is trying to improve safety. The ride-sharing company said it is working with the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network to improve security for drivers and passengers.
One new feature will allow riders to use a secure PIN code to verify the identity of their drivers. They will also have the ability to text a 911 operator if there is an emergency in the vehicle.
