In the last 20 days, there were as many as 40 attacks.
In the last three weeks, Uber has received more than 40 reports of violence and aggression against its drivers. The number of attacks has increased by over 70 percent in comparison with the second half of last year. These attacks are often instances of verbal abuse, destruction of property and threats against Uber drivers from taxi drivers in various parts of Zagreb, reports Index.hr on February 15, 2017.
However, it is worrying that in just three weeks there were four serious physical incidents in which Uber’s drivers were attacked with telescopic batons, stones and coins, and which have caused personal injury for drivers and material damage to their vehicles. In all four cases, customers were present in the vehicle at the time of the attack, so they too were affected by the attacks.
“Uber strongly condemns any form of violence and is extremely concerned about the security of its drivers. As soon as we noticed the increased number of physical attacks on Uber’s drivers by drivers of taxis, we were forced to start using the services of a security agency. Help is available 24 hours a day if their vehicles are in danger or if their safety is compromised”, said Davor Tremac, general manager of Uber for Southeast Europe.
Problems most often occur at the intersection of Tesla Street and Gajeva Street. For example, one driver was attacked with a rod and sustained slight bodily injuries, while the other taxi drivers at the same time watched it all from their nearby taxi stand, with verbal threats and yelling. The other driver had coins thrown at his vehicle, and when he got out of the car, insults, physical pushing and banging on the car started. There are several examples where the drivers were prevented from moving. For example, one of drivers was surrounded by four taxi vehicles in Vukovarska Street, while a customer was in the car.
Uber strongly condemns violence and cooperates with the police to investigate all the circumstances surrounding these events. Also, it calls on all of its drivers and taxi drivers to calm down the tensions and avoid violence in the streets, which also threaten the safety of customers who are inadvertently caught up in the attacks.
