Benson, DeAngelo and Vainieri Huttle Bill “Sami’s Law” Requiring Rideshare Driver, Car Identification Passes Assembly

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Daniel Benson, Wayne DeAngelo and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to improve customer identification of rideshare drivers and their vehicles was approved 77-0 by the full Assembly Thursday.

In South Carolina, Samantha Josephson, 21, ordered an Uber and mistakenly got into a car she thought was her ride. The driver used the childproof locks in his car to imprison Josephson before killing her and leaving her about 65 miles from Columbia.

The bill (A-5321) addresses safety concerns raised as a result of this tragic occurrence.

Benson and DeAngelo (Both D-Mercer, Middlesex) are the legislative representatives of the 14^th district where Samantha grew up and her family still resides.

“This is a tragedy that should never happen again,” said Assemblyman Benson. “I believe, as policymakers, we must take the necessary steps to strengthen the safety of these services for customers. With the passage of this legislation, New Jersey leads the nation with stricter regulations for rideshare services.”

According to a Pew Survey, 36% of U.S. adults have used a transportation network company; this figure is up from 15% in a similar study from late 2015. It also found that just over half (51%) of adults from age 18 to 29 have used a transportation network company.

“What Seymour and Marci Josephson and their family have endured with the loss of their daughter Sami is a hardship that no family should face,” said Assemblyman DeAngelo. “No one should ever be concerned for the safety of themselves or their loved ones when using these services. We must make sure that as these services continue to develop we are constantly working together to make sure customers are served safely and responsibly.”

“The bottom line is rideshare services must be safe for both the rider and the driver,” said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “New Jersey should focus on improving identification tools used by customers to recognize their driver and the vehicle. We have to do more to protect New Jersey residents; this cannot happen here. This bill takes us one step closer to achieving that goal.”

Under the bill, a transportation network company (TNC) is directed to provide to every driver that utilizes its digital network a two-dimensional barcode or other technology that is unique to that driver and to that driver’s personal vehicle. This barcode is to be used for identification purposes when providing prearranged rides and may be scanned by a rider to confirm the identity of the driver and the personal vehicle.

The bill is now poised for further consideration on the Senate floor in both houses.