“A breathtaking absence of due diligence”

Safety through technology an abysmal failure

To the Editor,

Kudos on a superb piece underscoring the abysmal failure associated with deregulating the VFH industry, “Safety through technology has been a scam,” December 10.

With the elimination of municipal screening, training and effective enforcement, the VFH industry entered the age of anything goes.   Your article left nothing to the imagination regarding the deleterious consequences of such folly. 

I don’t blame customers for an overreliance on digital technology when it  comes to their personal well-being, rather I blame our regulators for their shortsightedness and greed.  Willingly, they turned their backs on decades of proven regulations which, for the most part, promoted health, safety and consumer protection, in return for per trip fees offered by Uber and Lyft – fees that have amounted to millions of dollars over the years.  As for the harassment, abuse and assault which ensued…..horrific.

Government officials failed to respond to our pleas when Uber decided to disrupt the VFH industry, demanding a free hand and getting it.  It is hoped, given the benefit of hindsight, deregulation is abandoned in favour of mandated tried and true regulations.  Anything less would demonstrate a breathtaking absence of due diligence.

Peter Pellier