A senior member of the Federation Council Commission for the Protection of State Sovereignty argues that car-sharing platforms should not rent vehicles to drivers who have endured repeated serious violations. Specifically, individuals who have lost the right to drive due to drunk driving, alcohol issues, drug use, or ongoing traffic-rule violations should be excluded from accessing car-sharing fleets. This perspective reflects a broader concern about safety and accountability in the rapidly growing sharing economy.
In a candid discussion with RIA Novosti, the senator stated that one factor driving more road incidents in this sector is precisely the kind of driver who should not have access to car-sharing cars. His remarks underscore the need for stringent screening and continual oversight to ensure that fleet access aligns with public safety standards, not merely with profit margins.
Official statistics from the Interior Ministry cited by the senator show a notable rise in accident rates involving shared vehicles over the past year, surpassing a 40 percent increase. Such data points are presented as compelling evidence that safety controls must be tightened and that risk must be managed comprehensively, from driver history to ongoing behavior patterns behind the wheel.
The discussion also reflects broader lessons learned from the pandemic period when the car-sharing market faced disruptions despite government support. As markets recover, operators are pursuing growth across multiple channels, yet growth that focuses solely on volume can compromise service quality and safety. The senator argues that high quantities of rentals should not come at the expense of safety, and he calls for a more holistic evaluation of drivers that includes reliable information about their backgrounds and behavioral history, not just their current solvency or willingness to pay.
At present, car-sharing companies do not automatically have access to comprehensive criminal records or offense histories for customers. This gap means operators often rely on partial data or external checks, which may not fully capture an applicant’s risk profile. The senator suggests granting car-sharing platforms access to official information and offender registries in a controlled, privacy-preserving manner. Such access could enable firms to screen applicants more effectively and reduce the likelihood of repeat violations that endanger other road users.
Advocates for policy changes emphasize that safety outcomes depend on clear standards for driver eligibility, transparent reporting of violations, and robust data-sharing protocols between authorities and private mobility providers. Proposals include integrating criminal-justice data with platform risk assessments, establishing consistent criteria for what constitutes a serious or repeated violation, and creating oversight mechanisms that prevent abuse while protecting user privacy. These steps aim to balance innovation with accountability and to foster trust among riders, drivers, and communities alike.
Industry observers point out that the move toward more rigorous background checks will require careful implementation. They warn against creating barriers that exclude legitimate users or unintentionally bias screening processes. The goal is to implement fair, consistent, and role-based checks that can adapt to different jurisdictions, including North American markets where regulatory landscapes vary across provinces and states. Meanwhile, public safety remains the primary objective, with operators urged to prioritize risk mitigation, driver rehabilitation where appropriate, and ongoing monitoring of driving behavior after onboarding.
Ultimately, the conversation centers on the long-term health of car-sharing as a transportation option. Safety, reliability, and quality service depend on a nuanced approach to driver eligibility, timely access to relevant data, and persistent efforts to improve road-user outcomes. Stakeholders agree that clear rules, responsible data use, and collaborative enforcement will be essential as car-sharing continues to expand, not just in large cities but across diverse communities in North America. The aim is a system where convenient mobility does not come at the cost of public safety or trust among riders.
Notes: the perspectives here reflect policy discussions and not official positions of governments or the car-sharing platforms themselves. The cited statistics are attributed to the Interior Ministry, and further data should be consulted from official reports for a comprehensive view. For context on the regulatory landscape and ongoing reforms, observers refer to reports from industry analyses and transport ministries. (Source: RIA Novosti)