SC Senate subcommittee makes change to proposed ridesharing safety bill

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS/AP) - There’s been a change to proposed legislation to improve safety for Uber and Lyft users in South Carolina.

A South Carolina House Senate subcommittee voted to get rid of a requirement for a illuminated sign. Instead, drivers must show their license tag numbers on a sign on the front of their vehicles.

Uber requested the change, saying riders are sent the tag number of their ride. Uber says it would be nearly impossible for a fake driver to duplicate it, unlike the lighted company signs that are for sale online.

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The change comes weeks after the death of University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson. Police say she got into a car, thinking it was her Uber ride.

MORE: Uber calls UofSC student Samantha Josephson’s death ‘unspeakable,’ urges focus on ridesharing safety

According to court records, the man arrested in connection to this case is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing in Richland County on May 9.

Nathaniel Rowland is being held in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on murder and kidnapping among other charges.

Investigators say Rowland was arrested just a few blocks from Five Points on March 30 the morning after Josephson’s body was found in Clarendon County. They say her blood, cell phone, and cleaning products were found inside his car.