Colorado fines Uber $9M for hiring drivers with bad records

Colorado has slapped Uber with a nearly $9 million fine for letting dozens of drivers with serious criminal or motor vehicle offenses work for the ride-hailing firm, The Associated Press reported.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission launched an investigation into the embattled transportation company earlier this year after a passenger claimed that he was assaulted by his Uber driver in Vail.

The commission reportedly found that nearly 60 Uber employees in Colorado had criminal and driving histories that should have disqualified them, including a habitual offender, a former prison escape and drunken driving violations.

{mosads}

Under Colorado state law, people with felony convictions, alcohol- or drug-related driving offenses, and unlawful sexual offenses are prohibited from working from ride-hailing companies.

“We have determined that Uber had background check information that should have disqualified these drivers under the law, but they were allowed to drive anyway,” said Public Utilities Commission Director Doug Dean. “These actions put the safety of passengers in extreme jeopardy.”

Uber, which has come under fire for a string of controversies this year, told the AP that there was a “process error” that affected a “small number of drivers” but notified the state about the issue and fixed the problem.

“Per Uber safety policies and Colorado state regulations, drivers with access to the Uber app must undergo a nationally accredited third party background screening,” the company said. “We will continue to work closely with the CPUC to enable access to safe, reliable transportation options for all Coloradans.”