As people have become more and more familiar with using services like Uber and Lyft, usage of these services has become more and more diverse. Whether it’s Las Vegas, Delhi, New York or Thailand, drivers have to unabashedly handle those puking, heavily drunk, loud or obnoxious riders, at least once during their driving career. They can be frightening sometimes but can be amusing as well. Driving past late night can earn you a considerable amount, but land you with drunk passengers too. Yup, they’re difficult, but with a few tricks, some patience, and a smile, you can deal with this nasty part of the gig smartly as an Uber or Lyft driver.
Here’s how you can potentially avoid or resolve such stressful situations and provide your best driving service:
1. Playing safely:
It’s Saturday or Sunday, and most of the people are heading to the bar to grab a few drinks or get a whole lot of drunks. You can easily imagine the scenario here when you have to drive a drunk rider safely. Does that bother you? If not, then you are competent to handle such situations all yourself. But if you can’t bear to get your back seat getting dirty due to vomit, it’s best for you to avoid driving on the weekends, mainly after midnight.
It’s safer to drive until evening as most of the people would be either heading out for dinner, shopping or getting back home.
2. Get prepared:
Though Uber or Lyft might compensate you up to $200 as cleaning fees, yet having a dirty seat that also means awful smell that might hug your car for a while and no more ride for the day.
It’s best to keep necessary things like vomit or barf bags, towels, tissues, air freshener, mints, and mini cleaning supplies in your car rather than getting cleaning fees. Plus, the dash cam records both the path and the inside of your vehicle and are an excellent way to protect you from any threatening situations. You’ll always have the proof that you behaved correctly. Also, people tend to avoid brawling when they realize video recording is going on.
3. Scan you rider
The best way to deal a drunk or vomiter rider is to avoid them. If you’re an experienced driver, you probably are well aware of the drunkest spots in your city. If you’re not in the mood to handle them, you can always avoid driving to these places.
Somehow, if you can’t decide, step out of the car to look at the passenger or greet the passenger with a handshake. It will help you to scan the drunk ones. You might encounter with passengers that insist on drinking in your car, directly notify them that it’s against the rules and can cancel their rides if needed.
Tip for passengers: It’s pretty easy to move your location pin when requesting a ride, accidentally. And when you’re drunk, it’s even easier. Now you know what to do next!
4. When in trouble:
Okay, so you are already regretting letting that heavily drunk passenger slide on the back seat of your car. Now, you don’t want to handle the vomit-scenario and yet don’t want to cancel your trip.
What’s the plan? Remember that you’re the boss in your car. Try not to lose temper in any situation. Calmly let the riders know what’s not allowed in your car and let them know in which cases you can report them to Uber or Lyft. Drop them off to a well-lit spot or better, if to a 24-hour open diner. They can quickly get another ride from there.
5. The driver taking control:
You don’t mind riding with a drunk passenger, as long as they’re not a problem. You may want to drive them safely.
If passengers are drunk, but not aggressive, it’s best to keep up a light conversation, avoiding any sensitive topics – you don’t want them to go mad with rage and pick a fight with you. Try to make them feel; you’re safe and humane. And at the same time, let them know that you’re in power too.
6. Get help if needed:
When you feel threatened or not in control anymore of the situation, you can always ask for help. Don’t hesitate to cancel or request your rider to step out of your car, if you think that the rider is under the heavy influence of alcohol or drugs and is threatening or behaving aggressively with you.
Don’t hesitate to call for help from police or drop them to the nearest police station if needed. Always remember that your life is crucial than anything else, hence, the sooner you act, the better.
7. Avoid too many cancellations:
Nobody likes to have rude, drunk, or aggressive riders. The odds of someone throwing up in your car are low. It’s easy to spot a drunken passenger, but you can’t cancel each trip as it might put you on the blacklist on Uber or Lyft. Moreover, this will also waste your time, and you have to wait again for a new rider too.
You have to understand that often canceling rides can make the company suffer as it puts a bad name out there for Uber or Lyft. The whole point of these services is to transport drunk people. Hence, avoid too many cancellations.
8. Stay alert:
When you decide to drive at night or dropping hoppers and drunkards from the bars, it’s essential to be alert and be ready to face any unexpected situation. Make sure you had enough sleep and stay up to date with Uber or Lyft rules, in case you need them to explain it to the riders.
We hope that these little tips and tricks will save you from getting into unpleasant drives and help you to avoid and prepare for vomiters. After all, you’re out there to earn some good money and meet interesting people.
We wish you gentle, polite, and pleasant riders and safe trips!