Legislation would require all drivers for companies such as Lyft and Uber to illuminate signage on their cars while working

Advertisement Lawmakers file ride-sharing safety legislation in honor of Samantha Josephson Legislation would require all drivers for companies such as Lyft and Uber to illuminate signage on their cars while working Share Shares Copy Link Copy

For most students, the death of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson has been a rude awakening, Angela Orth said. “All of us were really keeping up with it, and talking about it. You always put yourself in that situation. You think about your friends in that situation,” Orth said.Lawmakers filed ride-sharing safety legislation in honor of Josephson, a University of South Carolina student who police say was killed after she apparently mistook the car of a stranger for her Uber ride. Police said Josephson, 21, was reported missing by her friends Friday around 1:30 p.m. when she never returned home after going out Thursday night in Five Points.Related stories:Timeline of the homicide, latest detailsMissing student found dead; man chargedLoved ones hold vigilMother makes emotional statementPolice said she was abducted and killed by 24-year-old Nathaniel David Rowland, of Clarendon County. He is charged with kidnapping and murder, police said.The death left many in shock, including lawmakers. Rep. Seth Rose (D-Richland) said, “We can’t stop a psychopath from doing something hideous, but as lawmakers, policymakers, we need to take precautions to make the likelihood that something like this happen less.”Rose and Rep. Micah Caskey (R-Lexington) filed the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act.The legislation would require all drivers for companies such as Lyft and Uber to have illuminated signage on their cars while they are working. Rose said, “It will be a light that would have to be given by the company. It’s not something you can go to a store and buy.”Orth believes it’s a good idea: “Any ounce of precaution we can take is a good thing to happen.”She said she’ll take every step necessary to keep herself and her friends safe. “If I take an Uber again, I’m definitely going to pay attention to stuff like that. Because you never know,” Orth said.The bill would also require any drivers who stop working for the ride share companies to return the lights.Rose said the legislation will go straight to the House floor. He expects a vote as soon as Wednesday.WIS-TV contributed to this article.