Filenews 27 December 2024
Further measures to minimize the risks posed to young drivers by the internationally widespread system of "car sharing" are currently being considered by the only company in Cyprus active in this sector.
One of the owners of Ride Now, Spyros Spyrou, speaking to "F", referred to the actions taken by the business entity in which he is a participant, with the aim of minimizing the risks involved in the direct access of young people to a shared vehicle, which is rented through a simple application on a mobile phone. Ride Now has already set an age restriction on driving the company's cars at night, while it is gearing up to check the degree of sobriety of drivers.
Mr. Spyrou was asked by our newspaper to comment on last month's accident in Nicosia (17/11) involving a student from Greece. Young people who were having fun until the early hours of the morning had direct access to one of the company's vehicles. Seven people were found in it, with the 20-year-old driver having in his system many times more alcohol than allowed, according to initial police tests. The tragic outcome was the accident that resulted in the death of the law student from Greece, Irene Kontogiorgou.
Our question to one of the owners of the company aimed to determine whether there are ways to limit the potential risks, due to the easy accessibility of inexperienced drivers to this service.
Mr. Spyrou said that the issue that always arises in such cases is driving education. He added, however, that his company's executives were troubled after the fatality. He indicated the immediate decision of his company that was put in place, so that drivers under 25 years old cannot rent cars after 09:00 at night (rental is allowed from 06:00 until 21:00). As we found out, Ride Now informed about this measure through its website.
Spyrou added that he and his business partner Dmitry Lavrentyev are currently considering further measures. He explained that they were already concerned about the possibility of doing at least a rudimentary check for the driver's sobriety. "We studied ways, saw what is happening abroad and concluded that it is possible to install an application, so that a driver before using the vehicle is asked to press a combination of buttons," he said.
In another question, Mr. Spyrou said that the company in which he is a partner with Mr. Lavrentiev is licensed by the Republic of Cyprus and that it operates and is covered by the current legislation. Competent officials of the Cyprus Police told "F" that the control carried out in cases of use of vehicles of car sharing companies by drivers is based on the current legislation. Moreover, the MP and chairman of the parliamentary committee on Transport, Communications and Works, Marinos Mousiouttas, in response to a relevant question, said that he is oriented to arrange a discussion of the issue in the parliamentary body in the new year.
Does the EU encourage?
What is certain is that the European Union is encouraging the spread of the institution of vehicle sharing. It has adopted a general framework of legislation and guidelines to support car sharing as part of its strategy for sustainable mobility and reduction of CO2 emissions. The detailed obligations and regulations depend on the national legislation of each Member State.
The sector in the Old Continent has been growing rapidly in recent years. As Mr. Spyrou also told us, Ride Now started its experimental venture in January 2021 with 30 vehicles and now has 650 cars all over Cyprus. One of the owners of the company also said that one shared vehicle corresponds to the use of 5-7 cars. Car sharing companies have access to subsidies through EU funds, such as the Recovery and Resilience Fund, to promote sustainable mobility practices. Car sharing service providers are obliged to ensure that their vehicles comply with safety and roadworthiness requirements as required by the EU. In countries such as Germany, France, Italy and the Scandinavian countries have regulated car sharing, promoting it as a measure against air pollution.
As we read, the consideration of incorporating breathalyzer tests into car sharing vehicles is in the early stages worldwide. As technology advances and road safety becomes increasingly important, we are likely to see more countries and companies adopt such measures in the future. A pilot project has been carried out in Sweden and this measure is being considered in countries such as Germany, the USA and Australia.
How to rent a shared car
The user registers through an application or website of the car sharing company. Usually (1) contact information, driver's license (for validity check), Credit/debit card is required for payments.
Companies often check the validity of the driver's license and the age of the user (e.g., usually over 21 years old). Users find available vehicles through an app, which shows their location on a map in real time. Some companies have "stations" where vehicles are located. Others operate with "free-floating". In such cases cars are scattered in the city.
The driver can book the vehicle through the app, usually for a specific period of time. In terms of use, cars are unlocked via the app or a special card provided by the company. The key is usually inside the car or the vehicle starts electronically. The user drives the vehicle for as long as necessary or until he completes his journey.
Companies charge based on:
◗ Usage time (e.g., charge per minute or hour).
◗ Distance (e.g., charge per kilometer).
◗ Combination of time and distance.
In some systems, the car must be returned to the station from where it was picked up.
If the company follows the "Free-floating" tactic, users can leave the vehicle at any point within a predetermined zone. The user is obliged to check the car for damages before and after use and inform the company.
Payment is made automatically via the app or linked credit/debit card. Some companies offer subscriptions or discounts for frequent use. The car sharing company is responsible for the maintenance, refuelling (or charging) and cleaning of vehicles. Companies often replace older vehicles to maintain high quality service.
