The shocking accident that occurred last Friday, in which the late Avinoam Meir Davidson, a one-month-old baby from Bnei Brak, was killed, was not a decree of fate - but rather an inscription on the wall that was sprayed in blood.
The driver was not a licensed taxi driver, the toddler was not wearing a seatbelt, and the entire trip took place in the 'dead zone' of law enforcement.
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This disaster happened on Highway 1, but with thousands of drivers operating without a drop of supervision, it encounters Israelis at every intersection and in every city.
In an investigative article on the phenomenon of ultra-Orthodox 'drivers', Magol explains Yaakov Hershkowitz in 'Israel Today'' The story of an unbridled world that thrives in ultra-Orthodox cities.
To understand how broken the mechanism is, Israel Hayom sent a researcher to check how simple and easy it is to become a "driver.".
The process was alarmingly fast: contacting a bot-based registration system, entering incorrect details - and the registration was completed without any hitches. No one asked to see a driver's license, no one checked the vehicle documents - and no questions were raised about insurance or the driver's identity.
While a taxi driver in Israel is required to undergo training, strict medical examinations, and a security screening, in the world of 'drivers' the door is open to anyone who wants it. There is no requirement to show a valid driver's license, and no one checks the driver's traffic history.
For a nominal joining fee, the researcher began receiving travel offers and even took a trip to Jerusalem. During the trip, an English-speaking tourist, who had come to Israel for a short vacation, boarded the vehicle.
When asked how she became acquainted with the 'drivers' network, she revealed the depth of the phenomenon: "My sister, who studied in Israel, recommended that I avoid taxis and use this service. They arrive quickly, with luxurious vehicles, and take you without any problems.".
She just didn't know that in the event of an accident, she was driving a vehicle without insurance coverage for paid transportation.
To the secular public, the term 'driver' may sound like the sectoral version of Uber. This is a dangerous lie. While international apps have oversight, driver ratings, and regulated insurance - in the world of drivers, everything is open.
When there is no requirement to present documents, there is no one to verify that the vehicle has the appropriate insurance - the only insurance that covers passengers in the event of injury. Without this coverage, in the event of an accident, God forbid, passengers find themselves without financial or medical support.
The black economy behind the wheel
The phenomenon of ultra-Orthodox drivers thrives on the basis of three principles that must concern every citizen:
• Zero regulation and safety: There is no meter, no monitoring of driving hours, and no safety standards. A driver can get on the road after a hard day's work or without sleep, and no one will stop him.
• Outside the taxation system: This is a system that operates without reporting to the tax authorities. It is this economic behavior that allows them to disrupt the market and offer lower prices than taxi drivers who bear the costs of a regulated transportation system.
• Employment in the "dark"": For young people who cannot hold a regular paycheck - such as deserters or those who have difficulty integrating into formal work - this is an accessible employment path that runs entirely under the radar.
When a 'driver' like Ebraimi (a pseudonym) explains the economic logic: "A person sees that a taxi costs 400 shekels and suddenly they offer him 300 shekels. He says to himself, why not?" - he omits the bitter truth.
These 100 shekels are the difference between a driver who has undergone training and medical examinations and a young, inexperienced driver. They are the difference between a legally insured vehicle and a vehicle that is driving on 'borrowed time.'.
This phenomenon has long since crossed the boundaries of the ultra-Orthodox sector. It trickles down to secular people, tourists, and innocent citizens who are tempted by the cheap price and the shiny vehicle.
Behind the appearance of the well-oiled system, there is a shocking level of amateurism when it comes to human life.
While a taxi driver in Israel is required to undergo training, strict medical examinations and security screening, in the world of 'drivers' the door is open to anyone who wants to. As mentioned, there is no requirement to present a valid driver's license, no one checks the driver's traffic history - whether he has accumulated dozens of life-threatening offenses or has been involved in fatal accidents - and there is no screening for criminal history.
The result is a complete disregard for passenger safety: anyone, regardless of their skill on the road or criminal record, can gain access to a bot, pick up passengers, and get on the highway without any supervision or control.
It must be said honestly: the world of ultra-Orthodox drivers is not a creative transportation solution, it is the 'Wild West'.
As long as the state continues to turn a blind eye, the next accident is not a question of "if," but only of "when." It could happen tomorrow morning, on any road in Israel, and exact another bloody price that could and should have been prevented.
