Uber Passengers’ Video Captures Terrifying Phoenix Ride
On December 19, 2023, two groups of Uber passengers in Phoenix experienced terrifying rides with the same driver, leading to emergency calls and concerns about safety protocols within the ride-sharing service.
Details of the Incidents
The first incident involved Yuki Momohara and her boyfriend. They summoned an Uber in midtown Phoenix. What began as a routine ride quickly turned alarming due to the driver’s erratic behavior. Video footage captured the driver dangerously swerving between lanes, nearly colliding with highway barriers. “He went from the complete right lane to the left lane to go on to the exit, and then he almost hit a wall,” Momohara recounted.
Despite their desperate pleas, the driver did not heed their warnings. “I was clearly freaking out and asking this man to stop the vehicle,” Momohara said. After a harrowing experience, Momohara’s boyfriend checked on the driver while she contacted 911. Remarkably, the driver sped off shortly after, picking up another passenger.
Second Incident with the Same Driver
Just minutes later, Eva Carlson and her friend were picked up by the same driver. They were headed to Tempe when the driver’s reckless driving continued. Carlson noted that the vehicle’s speedometer hit an alarming 100 mph. “He almost rear-ended a car on the highway,” she stated, describing the experience as frightening and unprecedented for her.
Uber’s Response to the Incidents
In response to the frightening events, Uber announced that the driver has been deactivated from the platform. The company emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable. However, unanswered questions lingered about why the driver was not initially suspended after the first report and the 911 call.
Concerns Over Safety Protocols
A recent investigation by The New York Times highlighted troubling trends regarding Uber’s driver screening processes. Findings showed that the company has allowed drivers with felony convictions, including serious offenses like assault and child abuse, to operate as long as their crimes occurred more than seven years earlier. These revelations have raised significant concerns regarding the safety measures Uber employs for screening drivers.
- December 19, 2023: Date of incidents
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
- Speed reached: 100 mph
- Driver behavior: Erratic and dangerous
- Passengers’ response: Emergency calls made
Momohara expressed her worries for other passengers, stating, “It’s just sad to know that he could possibly pick up someone else and endanger them.” The events on that fateful day prompt a broader conversation about passenger safety in ride-sharing services.
