A Win for Common Sense

At least common sense and compromise can win in one corner of New York: On Tuesday, Westchester struck a deal to allow ride-sharing services like Uber to operate in the county, with optional fingerprinting for drivers.

The option will let drivers pay a $90 fee for a decal showing they’ve passed a county background check.

That’s reasonable. And it ends county officials’ threats to ban app-based car services unless they agreed to fingerprinting.

The services had been banned outside New York City, but a new state law lets counties allow them or ban them — but not add new regulations.

Westchester threatened to prohibit the services, claiming state regs don’t do enough to ensure drivers are safe. That would’ve pleased the taxi industry, which is trying to keep the competition out — but also left Westchester as the only county in New York to ban the services.

Happily, just as when Mayor de Blasio tried to impose a cap on Uber cars in the city, consumers revolted. Riders love the convenience and generally lower prices of the new services — and won’t accept a ban.

So now riders will be able to hail Uber and Lyft cars, and anyone concerned about extra safety can choose drivers with county-issued decals.

If only that spirit of compromise would spread to Albany . . .