Samantha Josephson: State lawmakers push for ride-share

Josephson, a 21-year-old student at the University of South Carolina, had called for an Uber around 2 pm Friday in Columbia outside a bar. She was last getting into a Uber. Her body was found with multiple sharp forces 14 hours later in a field about 90 miles away, said authorities.

Police arrested Nathaniel David Rowland on the subject of murder and kidnapping charges. Josephson's blood was found in the passenger compartment and the trunk, and said.

The ride-share apps have a number of safety features that provide checks for riders so that they do not get into the wrong vehicle, as happened to Josephson.

For example, the Uber app informs the rider of the make, model and color of the vehicle, the license plate number and the driver's name and photo. Uber and Lyft also allow drivers and riders to get along.

Under current South Carolina law, ride-share drivers are required to have reflective stickers.

What other campuses have done

The issue of fake Uber drivers is particularly acute on college campuses, full of tech-savvy students who often use Uber and Lyft as a way to get around, especially when drinking alcohol.

Uber said it has been working with police and college campuses to address this issue.

"Since 2017, we've been working with the local community to educate the public on how to avoid fake ride-share drivers," said Uber spokesperson. "Everyone at Uber is devastated to hear about this unspeakable crime, and we love Samantha Josephson's family and loved ones."

Several colleges, including Columbia in the past few days, have taken steps in the wake of violent incidents.

Since Josephson 's death, Columbia Police place with the tips of the city. The flier highlights a specific drop-off and pick-up zone, and advises riders to cross streets at crosswalks, put down their phones and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

In an interview with CNN, Rose noted that USC currently holds a University 101 class for students that offers a crash course in what to do and what not to do in Columbia. He plans to send a letter to USC's President and Board of Trustees requesting them to incorporate a line of advice.

"I think every place in this country, every university, needs to take care that this is a real danger, and we need to take precautions to educate everyone that this is a possibility," Rose said.

Florida Gulf Coast University had a similar reaction after an alleged assault by a Uber driver in August 2017. In that case, a female student mistakenly got into a driving she believed in a ride-share service, university police said, and the driver then allegedly assaulted the student.

The university said officials speak on a regular basis with students, including orientation, about the importance of personal safety.

"We encourage them to adopt the buddy system with their friends to minimize their chances of doing so," said the university said in a statement.

"At the time of the crime occurred, our University Police issued a set of lawsuits and made it to the public."

Court records show that the vehicle did not have a visible sticker, according to WJLA.

An American University spokesman said they have a number of safety features and advice for students taking ride-shares.

"We advise students to follow the safety policies of the ride-share services," said the spokesman said.

In addition, AUPD offers a safety app called Rave Guardian that can be used in the District of Columbia.Rave Guardian has an emergency icon for Police Campus and Local Police Emergencies depending on on-off campus use.

Finally, they have a safe course of action in their campuses, if they want to learn more about DC for any reason, and they should call it to the University Police headquarters. way by calling 202-885-2527 AUPD will pay for the charge of the student and the student will be charged to the student. mile radius of the main campus. "