Lyft, Uber Drivers In Washington May Face Fingerprint Background Checks
Listen
Uber and Lyft drivers may soon have to undergo tougher background checks in Washington state. Lawmakers are considering a proposal that would require drivers to pass a fingerprint background check before being allowed to operate.
James McMahan is the policy director for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. He told state Representatives that requiring drivers to provide their fingerprints would ensure passenger safety.
“I can give you any name and date of birth that I choose out of thin air or because it’s my friends,” McMahan said. “But I can only give you my fingerprint.”
But Lyft public policy manager Laura Bisesto testified the company already does background checks that track both arrests and convictions through public records.
“Our comprehensive check which is done by a nationally accredited organization goes to the source of an arrest and gives an accurate picture of a prospective driver’s background,” she said. Bisestos said the FBI fingerprint database does not provide conviction information half the time.
Some cities like Seattle already require taxi drivers to pass a fingerprint background check, but that’s not required for Uber or Lyft drivers.
Copyright 2018 NW News Network
Related Stories:
Mr. WSDOT — the man who’s helped make road alerts interesting and ‘artistic’ — is heading to a new job
When Mike Allende started managing social media for the Washington State Department of Transportation, he was told “don’t be boring.”
“Boring” is probably the last word any one would use to describe Allende’s approach to the job, which massively grew engagement while he worked there. Known by some fans as Mr. WSDOT, he’s the man behind the most followed state department of transportation Twitter, or X, account nationwide, with some 543,000 followers on the department’s traffic page.
Continue Reading Mr. WSDOT — the man who’s helped make road alerts interesting and ‘artistic’ — is heading to a new job
A Journey Delayed — Sea-Tac airport flights delayed, canceled after 737 MAX 9 grounding
The ticketing counter, bag drop, and agent stations for Alaska Airlines at Sea-Tac International Airport were busy but not crowded late Tuesday morning. Some passengers moved through the lines and onto security, others stood against the wall opposite Alaska’s blue and green signs, with their bags sitting closely next to them, scrolling through phones, waiting for a journey, delayed.
On Tuesday, FlightAware reported over 60 cancellations and over 140 delays at the airport, the majority of which were Alaska Airlines flights.
Continue Reading A Journey Delayed — Sea-Tac airport flights delayed, canceled after 737 MAX 9 grounding
Historic agreement seen as a harbinger to Snake River dam removal
Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River. Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said removing the four dams on the Lower Snake isn’t feasible right now. CREDIT: Bonneville… Continue Reading Historic agreement seen as a harbinger to Snake River dam removal