Fatal crashes prompt Uber to raise minimum age for drivers in Netherlands

Controversial ride-hailing firm Uber is set to raise the age for drivers in the Netherlands following several fatal crashes in Amsterdam in recent weeks. The minimum age is to rise from 18 to 21 respectively bringing it in line with other countries like the UK, Belgium and Denmark. According to Dutch broadcaster AT5, Uber will now only accept drivers with at least one years’ driving experience. Drivers under 25 years old will also have to attend a compulsory road safety course conducted by third party safety organisation VVN who raised concerns around the accidents. Earlier this month, the VVN told the Telegraaf that Uber drivers should not be allowed to work unless its drivers conform to existing taxi regulations. ‘What has happened is terrible,’ Uber Nederlands head Thijs Emondts told AT5. ‘We are convinced that the measures we are taking today will remove some of the concerns about safety.’