Uber Technologies Inc. and Yandex NV are planning to turn their self-driving car unit into a separate company. Ultimately, this will give Yandex more control over the business.

As hundreds of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers face uncertain futures in California, there are two startups preparing to offer alternative approaches to the ride-hail business. This alternative approach comes as Uber and Lyft continue to battle with California over how their drivers are classified.

According to a study published by JAMA Network Open, nearly 30,000 e-scooter riders visited emergency departments across the United States in 2019 for injuries related to the two-wheeled vehicles. Between 2014 and 2019, there were more than 70,000 trips to emergency rooms nationwide that were linked with e-scooter usage.

In 2014, there were fewer than 5,000 scooter-related injuries that were severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. Since then, the numbers have significantly increased. To gather the data, researchers analyzed information on electric scooter use and ER visits between 2014 and 2019 from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s national electronic injury surveillance system.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the United States, Uber is taking additional precautionary measures in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. Now, passengers who have refused to wear face coverings will be required to take a “mask selfie” before being able to request a car.

Since May, both rideshare drivers and passengers have been asked to wear masks. According to executives, the majority of people have followed the rules. However, not everyone has complied, which has led to the need for further action.

In light of the National Transportation Safety Board placing partial blame on Uber for a fatal 2018 crash, Uber has vowed to publicize more in-depth safety information regarding its self-driving vehicles.

According to Bloomberg, Uber supports the idea of transparency. The company will make a Safety Case Framework for public release. Additionally, the company plans to establish an independent Safety and Responsibility Advisory Board.