Ride-sharing service providers will need to provide an SOS button in their mobile applications to allow passengers to immediately notify the authorities if they feel they are in danger, The Sun reports.
The feature is part of the improved safety measures that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is proposing for ride-sharing services in a bid to ensure public safety. The commission held a meeting with Uber Malaysia in the wake of recent incidents involving Uber drivers.
“This is something we would like to see all new and existing e-hailing providers do as soon as possible even before the law which allows us to regulate them comes into place,” SPAD CEO Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said.
He added that SPAD has proposed more stringent checks being conducted on drivers. “Some of these potential checks include psychometric testing or behavioural checks on the drivers. Another thing that we would require these e-hailing providers to do is for them to share all their drivers’ details with the commission so that we can conduct another round of checking with the relevant authorities,” he said.
Azharuddin said that the implementation of these proactive measures are necessary to ensure full compliance. He explained that when the law comes into place, these ride-sharing providers will have the responsibilities of public transport operators, which will thus require all necessary checks such as background, medical and criminal checks on the drivers to be conducted.
“Hence, if at anytime after the law comes into place and there are any e-hailing operators who flout the law, we will not hesitate to take stern action against them, including financial penalty or suspension,” he stated.
He said the commission will work closely with all ride-sharing operators to ensure they follow the measures listed closely, and assured the public that their safety is SPAD’s top priority while making sure the operators play their part. The commission will be meeting Grab today over the same topic.
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To john who replied to my comment on introducing SOS feature;
john said ; “Uber too busy making money to add panic button. Dun like can go pakai teksi”
SPAD make it a requirement, seems like they dunwan us to pakai teksi oh :) UBER GRAB FTW!
As long US market dun have this requirement, Grabuber can berani say no.
this ICT related solutions…Mimos capable to assist.
than photoshop P1 SUV design week in week out
But will Grabuber allow it?
But will P1 use it?
What does P1 have to do with Grabuber?
Taxi no SOS button
Just use the taxi driver’s nose as the button.
what if passenger simply press the SOS button? or rider refuse to pay the fare and press the SOS button after getting into an arguement?
Uber driver kena bantai for no reason. Uber driver should have a SOS button too.
Screen and do background checks on the taxi drivers as well…
can just call the 911 using dial pad button? perhaps 911 can react faster than 999…
“The number u have dialed is currently unavailable. Nombor yang…”
Hati hati di jalan raya. Always pray and pay zakat i means pay taxi. Not need button lari 4 kali seratus meter. Huhu ho ho….
what is the purpose of this SOS button ? will it alert pdrm or grab customer service ?