Educating our support staff-Uber drivers

 A Disturbing Ride: Why Uber Must Act on Driver Behaviour

I am a very frequent Uber user and I find it quite convenient to just book a cab and driver for my travel rather than maintaining a vehicle and driver but my recent experience has jolted me and made me wonder whether I am just one misstep away from a hospital bed. My Uber ride in from South City to Newtown left me shaken—not by the destination, but by how the driver behaved behind the wheel. His erratic driving, frequent phone use, and bad habits like spitting on the road every two minutes turned what should have a routine trip into a deeply unsettling experience. This is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a larger problem: the lack of consistent training, accountability, and respect for public safety among some driver-partners.

Irresponsible Driving That Felt Dangerous

From the moment we pulled out, the driver’s driving felt erratic and unpredictable. He:

• Weaved aggressively between lanes without checking blind spots. He was driving at above 80km/hr and when I remonstrated him, he nonchalantly replied that he was not driving above 40 at all. So I was the liar here!

• Made sudden, sharp turns without signalling.

• Braked hard in traffic, jolting me badly and making the ride feel unsafe. When I asked about the rear seat belt, he said that it was not there.

None of this was forced by traffic conditions; it was pure impatience and overconfidence. The driver seemed to be bored and doing this for kicks. For a lone lady passenger,  this kind of behaviour creates constant anxiety. You are literally trusting your life to someone who seems to treat the road as a race track.

Talking on the Phone While Driving

Even worse, the driver was talking on his phone—hands-free, but still clearly distracted. He laughed, argued, and engaged in a long conversation as if he were sitting at home, not driving through busy city traffic.

This is not just discourteous; it is dangerous. His attention was divided, his reactions slower, and his awareness of pedestrians, two-wheelers, and other cars clearly compromised. I asked him at least two or three times to slow down, every time he replied he was not doing above 40.

Spitting, Rudeness, and Disrespect for Public Space

The most disturbing part of the ride was the driver’s habit of spitting on the road. He did it repeatedly, casually leaning out of the window and spitting without a second thought. There was no consideration for:

• The filth it creates on already dirty streets.

• The message it sends about respect for public spaces.

• The discomfort it causes passengers who are forced to witness this behaviour.

This kind of habit is not just unhygienic; it signals a broader lack of awareness about civic responsibility. When someone represents a well-known brand like Uber, their behaviour on the road reflects on the entire company.

Why Education and Accountability Are Urgently Needed

This experience highlights a glaring gap: while Uber promotes itself as a modern, professional, and safe platform, there is no visible, consistent system to ensure that all drivers meet basic standards of:

• Safe driving (no speeding, no erratic lane changes, no phone use while driving).

• Hygiene and civic behaviour (no spitting, no littering, courteous conduct).

• Passenger communication and respect.

1. Mandatory, Practical Training
   Before a driver can go online, they should complete a short, practical module on:

   • Defensive driving and traffic rules.

   • Prohibition of phone use while driving.

   • Basic etiquette, including no spitting, no smoking, and respectful communication.

2. Clear Consequences for Misconduct
   Repeated complaints about dangerous or rude behaviour should lead to:

   • Temporary suspension from the app.

   • Mandatory retraining before reactivation.

   • Permanent deactivation in serious cases.

3. Easy Reporting and Feedback
   Passengers need a simple, non-intimidating way to report:

   • Dangerous driving.

   • Phone use while driving.

   • Unhygienic or offensive behaviour.
     Reports should be taken seriously, investigated, and acted upon visibly.

4. Ongoing Reinforcement, Not One-Off Training
   Drivers should receive regular reminders via the app:

   • “Please do not use your phone while driving.”

   • “Please drive safely and respect other road users.”

   • “Remember: no spitting, no littering.”

Uber claims to care about safety, trust, and the quality of the ride experience. Yet, rides like mine show that for many passengers, these ideals do not feel like reality. The company must move beyond marketing and invest in real, enforceable standards for driver behaviour.

Driving is not just a job; it is a responsibility that affects everyone on the road. If Uber truly wants to be seen as a reliable, safe, and respectful service, it must ensure that every driver-partner understands that—and acts accordingly.