Broad coalition of public safety leaders, community and social justice advocates, small businesses, technology platforms and nearly 50,000 drivers support ballot measure

SACRAMENTO – Two widely respected statewide public safety organizations – the California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs’ Association – have joined Fathers Against Drunk Driving and a growing coalition of public safety, community and business groups supporting the Protect App-Based Drivers & Services Act, a ballot measure proposed for November 2020 that would protect the right of those who earn on rideshare and delivery platforms to work as independent contractors, while ensuring these services remain accessible for the millions of Californians who rely on them every day.

“The California State Sheriffs Association supports this ballot measure because it ensures that rideshare services will continue to be available when they’re needed most, reducing the likelihood that drunk and impaired drivers will get behind the wheel,” said Sheriff David Robinson, 1st Vice President of the California State Sheriffs’ Association. “Provisions like mandatory safety training, 24-hour access to law enforcement to coordinate in emergencies, and recurring background checks will further improve the safety of these services that millions of Californians rely on every day.” 

“The California Police Chiefs Association supports this ballot measure because it protects public safety by preserving the rideshare services that keep drunk drivers off our roads. The measure requires app-based driver background checks and safety trainings that make our roadways safer for drivers, passengers and the public,” said Chief Ronald Lawrence, President of the California Police Chiefs Association.

A new law (Assembly Bill 5) threatens to take away the freedom and independence of hardworking teachers, retirees, students, parents and others who choose to supplement their income by driving with app-based rideshare and food delivery platforms. This law attempts to force app-based drivers to become employees, eliminating their right to choose when, where and how much they work, and which network platforms they want to work with.

In response, nearly 50,000 drivers have signed up to support the Protect App-Based Drivers & Services Act. In addition to protecting driver independence and flexibility, the measure would provide drivers a new earnings guarantee and benefits, including a new health care coverage contribution and insurance to cover on-the-job injuries.

Furthermore, the measure adds strong new consumer and public safety provisions, including:

• recurring background checks for drivers
• zero-tolerance for drugs or alcohol offenses
• a prohibition on drivers who have been convicted of serious felonies
• mandatory safety trainings for drivers
• a new 24/7 method of communication with law enforcement in emergencies
• and a cap on driver hours to prevent sleepy or distracted driving.

App-based rideshare services have significantly reduced arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are keeping the public safer. DUI arrests decreased by 32 percent in San Diego, 28 percent in San Jose, 26 percent in Sacramento and 14 percent in both Los Angeles and the San Francisco-Oakland areas in the two years after ridesharing began in each of these areas, according to studies by the University of California at Davis and Moll Law Group.

“Fathers Against Drunk Driving strongly supports this ballot measure because it will keep rideshare services affordable and accessible,” said Robert Ybarra, founder, Fathers Against Drunk Driving. “One thing we know for certain is that on-demand rideshare services help take impaired drivers off our roads and protect public safety. Without this ballot measure, we risk disrupting the on-demand rideshare model – where sober drivers are available for people when and where they need a ride at a moment’s notice, especially late at night when they’re most needed.”

“Many Californians have a hard time making ends meet, particularly people of color and lower-income individuals,” said Alice Huffman, President of the California State Conference of NAACP. “This ballot measure is a good deal for families and individuals because it protects their right to earn extra income or primary income on their own terms while providing historic new earnings and benefit guarantees.” “California is still the epicenter of innovation on earth, and app-based platforms have been a lifeline to thousands of small businesses that can now reach new customers in new locations and millions of consumers who rely on rideshare and delivery services every day,” said Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino. “This ballot measure would establish a forward-thinking law that protects app-based drivers and services.”