Author: Justin Suttne

What does it say about the future of public safety when governments require panic buttons in every e-hailing vehicle? This month, South Africa brought forward proposals to impose stricter safety requirements on e-hailing platforms. For example, vehicles must now carry visible branding, drivers must meet tighter ID requirements, and every car must be equipped with a panic button linked to an emergency response service. With police resources increasingly stretched, private sector players have spotted a gap in the market to provide emergency response services that can help protect people and property. The future of safety is emerging as a hybrid…