Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, at the podium, announced a proposed street safety ordinance.
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Monday announced a new proposed road safety ordinance aimed at making Boston streets safer.
It cracks down on third-party delivery providers such as DoorDash and UberEats by increasing their accountability following a rise in complaints from city residents and an uptick in safety violations.
The ordinance requires the delivery companies to obtain a permit allowing them to operate within city limits.
To qualify for the permit, the companies must submit documentation that includes proof of adequate insurance coverage, as well as data on the company's illegal and unsafe vehicle violations on city streets.
Mayor Wu said the ordinance, presented to the Boston City Council, is needed to help make Boston streets safer for pedestrians and drivers. "We've been hearing from residents all over the city that delivery drivers on mopeds and scooters have been creating dangerous conditions on our roads," the mayor said.
Currently, delivery companies are not required to hold insurance that protects uninsured or underinsured drivers.
But that would change under this new proposed ordinance. "They will need liability insurance coverage for all their delivery drivers so that residents and drivers are protected in the event of a collision," she said.
Of the 105 complaints lodged against delivery drivers made to 311 last year, they included illegal double parking and reckless delivery drivers on scooters, mopeds, motorbikes and e-bikes.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.