Man, stories like these break my heart.
In a recent Reddit thread, a poster highlights his experience driving a passenger on what seemed to be a normal ride. The first line asking for legal advice was just the opening.
The poster, a Lyft driver, went on to explain that he drove a drunk passenger to the wrong address, an address that the rider had entered at the request of the ride. Upon arrival, the driver ended the ride. When the passenger refused to exit his vehicle, the driver chose to drive in search of a police officer. Shortly thereafter, the passenger began to choke the driver. The driver exited the vehicle, at which the passenger was viciously assaulted.
I was choked while driving then beaten by my rider what can I expect
byu/sexytexy108 inlyftdrivers
“Tldr my passenger wouldn’t get out said I brought them to wrong address obviously went to address they put in (they were drunk) I get to address end ride (I’m still online) they won’t leave I’m downtown say ok and start driving to get a cop he starts choking me I stop get out run away then I’m beaten savagely currently at the hospital police come take him away etc.”
Toward the end of the post, the driver asked for support on what to expect, getting over 600 comments from Redditors worldwide, and shared his thoughts about the entire experience. Some posters highlighted Lyft’s lack of support in cases such as these events mentioned by rideshare drivers.
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This story highlights the dangers for some rideshare drivers at all times of the day. This does not just happen during the day or in certain neighborhoods.
What measures does Lyft take to protect drivers?
Lyft offers several features to protect drivers, including:
- Background checks: All Lyft drivers must pass a background check before driving and undergo annual checks thereafter. Lyft also continuously monitors for criminal convictions and deactivates drivers when necessary https://lyft.com/safety/rider.
- Safety education: In partnership with RAINN, Lyft requires all drivers to complete a safety program that addresses de-escalation techniques and how to handle challenging situations https://lyft.com/safety/rider.
- Proactive monitoring: Lyft monitors rides for unusual activity, such as long stops or detours. If something seems amiss, they’ll contact you to check on your well-being https://lyft.com/safety/rider.
- Live Assistance: If a driver feels unsafe, they can connect with an ADT security professional through the Lyft app. The ADT agent can provide live support, including contacting law enforcement and sharing ride details https://lyft.com/safety/rider.
- Community features: Drivers can share ratings with riders. Riders with low ratings (below 3 stars) won’t be matched with that driver again. Drivers can also add trusted contacts to their safety settings to allow them to see the driver’s location in real-time https://lyft.com/safety/rider.
- Insurance: Lyft provides insurance coverage for drivers when the app is on and they are en route to pick up a passenger or during a ride. This includes third-party liability insurance and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage https://www.lyft.com/driver/insurance.
Overall, Lyft offers a variety of features to help keep drivers safe on the road. However, no ride-sharing service can guarantee complete safety, so drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and trust their instincts.
