As increased discussions happen regarding the future of self-driving cars and how they could impact our roadways, you might wonder just how you’ll be able to tell if a vehicle on the road is autonomous. While the designs will vary by manufacturer, it’s likely most driverless cars will have similar, identifiable features. It’s also possible traditional features drivers are used to seeing could be missing.

The two most popular rideshare companies, Lyft and Uber, are testing autonomous vehicles in certain cities across the country. Learning how to recognize a driverless car now could help you prepare for how traffic and driving will change in the future.

Rideshare services like Lyft are supposed to offer safe, efficient, and cost-effective rides to those who request them. Whether a person needs to get across town because their car is in the shop, taking a taxi would be too expensive, or someone is getting home responsibly after a night out at the bar, rideshare drivers have a responsibility to take passengers to their requested location. Some drivers, however, are committing heinous acts of sexual assault.

According to an article published by USA TODAY, a lawsuit has been filed against Lyft, claiming the company is mishandling a “sexual predator crisis.” The case was filed on September 4, 2019 and involves 14 women who say they were sexually assaulted by Lyft drivers in 2018 and 2019.

Companies like Uber and Lyft are supposed to hire reliable drivers who get paying passengers where they need to go. Unfortunately, there are those out there that try to abuse the system and the passenger pays the price. While some scams could result in financial loss or a missed appointment, others could result in death. Whether you frequently use a rideshare service or are new to the system, it’s important to be aware of the common scams and how to avoid them.

In Pennsylvania, Uber operates their business under the subsidiary Rasier-PA. In May 2018, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) audited the company and determined their driver background check process and safety features were inadequate. There are, however, steps Uber can take to better screen drivers for safety violations and improve riders’ experiences.

Prior to working as a driver for Uber, prospects are required to undergo a series of background checks. This includes their personal information, employment history, motor vehicle record, and criminal record. All the background checks are conducted by Checkr, and a team from Rasier-PA evaluates the results to make a final decision. Once the person has been cleared, they can activate their driver profile and begin accepting rides.

A tragedy has struck a college town that is making people examine safety methods when it comes to rideshares. Samantha Josephson entered a car she thought was her Uber around 2 a.m. on March 29 in Columbia, South Carolina. The car was a black Chevrolet Impala. The driver was not Josephson’s Uber driver, and the 21 year old student at the University of South Carolina was reported missing by her friends the next day. Josephson’s body was soon found by two turkey hunters 70 miles away in Clarendon County.

Since then, the police have arrested the driver, 24 year old Nathaniel D. Rowland. They’re charging him with murder and kidnapping, as they found traces of Josephson’s blood in his car, activated child safety locks in the back seat, and discovered Josephson’s phone along with bleach and window cleaner.