Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become incredibly popular in recent years. These services provide a convenient way for people to get rides home after a night out drinking instead of driving under the influence. However, this convenience comes with risks if the rideshare driver themselves are impaired by alcohol or drugs. When rideshare drivers operate vehicles while intoxicated, it puts customer safety in jeopardy and leaves victims with few good options for recourse.
The Dangers of Drunk Rideshare Drivers
When people rely on rideshare services, they expect a sober driver who can safely transport them to their destination. However, there have been reported incidents of intoxicated rideshare drivers getting behind the wheel.
Rideshare drivers may drive while impaired for several reasons. Working late nights and dealing with drunk passengers constantly can lead to problematic drinking habits. Lax hiring standards and background checks may allow drivers with substance abuse problems to slip through the cracks. The independent contractor status of rideshare drivers also means they aren’t subject to random drug testing like commercially licensed drivers.
Driving under the influence of any amount of alcohol dramatically increases the chance of an accident. An impaired rideshare driver puts customers and other road users at risk of injury or death from crashes. Intoxicated drivers are slower to react, have impaired judgment, and often drive recklessly.
Legal Responsibilities of Rideshare Companies
Rideshare companies have a duty to properly screen drivers before allowing them on the platform. They must also establish protocols to prevent drunk drivers from providing rides. Companies that fail to enact adequate safeguards may share liability for any damages resulting from an intoxicated driver.
Victims may be able to take legal action against a rideshare company for:
- Negligent hiring and retention of unfit drivers
- Lack of sufficient background checks and screening
- Failure to track driver behaviors and remove dangerous drivers
- Not having technology to detect drunk drivers like dashcams
While rideshare companies should do more to prevent drunk drivers, the independent contractor model makes it difficult to fully control drivers’ behavior. Companies can deactivate dangerous drivers if they are reported, but they typically aren’t liable for drivers’ actions. The onus lies more heavily on the driver.
Legal Action Against Intoxicated Rideshare Drivers
Drunk rideshare drivers can face both criminal and civil penalties for operating a vehicle while impaired. Victims have legal standing to pursue damages by taking action against the driver directly.
Potential criminal charges for the driver include:
- DUI
- Reckless driving
- Assault with a deadly weapon if injuries occur
Even without injuries, drunk drivers may serve jail time and lose their driver’s license if convicted of a DUI.
Victims who suffer harm due to an intoxicated rideshare driver can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensatory damages. With evidence and legal representation, victims may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses from injuries
- Lost wages from missed work
- Pain and suffering
Punitive damages may also apply to punish the driver monetarily and deter similar behavior in the future.
Reporting Intoxicated Rideshare Drivers
If you suspect your rideshare driver of being impaired, get to safety and report them immediately. Both Uber and Lyft allow riders to report safety concerns directly through their apps. Prompt reporting creates a record that can help hold drivers accountable and get them removed from the platform.
You can also report drunk drivers to the police. Provide license plate details, vehicle descriptions, and the driver’s name. Your information can help police apprehend intoxicated drivers before another accident occurs.
Staying Safe as a Rideshare Customer
While rideshares carry inherent risks with impaired drivers, customers can take steps to stay safe:
- Verify that your driver’s details match what’s in the app
- Don’t accept rides from unverified drivers
- Share your trip details with a friend
- Sit in the backseat rather than front passenger seat
- Avoid confrontation with impaired drivers
- Report any safety concerns immediately
The Growing Problem of Drunk Rideshare Drivers
Despite efforts by rideshare companies, drunk driving by Uber and Lyft drivers remains a concerning problem. More rigorous screening and continuous checks for new offenses are needed to keep impaired drivers off the platforms.
Public awareness campaigns could also help curb drunk rideshare driving. Educating drivers on the serious legal consequences may make some think twice before driving under the influence. And educating riders on safe rideshare habits and reporting protocols empowers the public to be part of the solution.
Stronger Laws and Regulations Around Rideshare Safety
Beyond actions by the companies themselves, tighter laws and regulations could improve rideshare safety. Some options that lawmakers should consider include:
- Requiring camera surveillance systems in all rideshare vehicles
- Mandating proof of valid insurance and driver fitness before rideshare licensure
- Regular license renewal requirements for rideshare drivers including medical exams
- Zero tolerance BAC laws for commercial passenger drivers
- Increased liability for rideshare companies when drunk drivers cause injuries
Improved oversight and accountability measures would help address the troubling pattern of intoxicated rideshare drivers endangering passengers. Legislation has not kept pace with the rapid growth of rideshares, leaving a safety gap that must be filled.
The Path Forward for Safer Rideshares
Rideshare services provide an important benefit in reducing drunk driving when used properly. They can even reduce the incident of DUI accidents and incidents within the wider population. However, more work is needed to protect customers from the small minority of drivers who irresponsibly choose to drive while impaired.
Through collaborative efforts by lawmakers, rideshare companies and safety advocates, the safety issues posed by drunk rideshare drivers can be reduced. But achieving substantial progress will require acknowledging the severity of the problem and making it a top priority to address. By taking drunk rideshare drivers off the road, we can help fulfill the promise of reliable and safe transportation these services were meant to provide.
If you have been involved in an accident with a drunk rideshare driver, whether as a passenger or while driving another vehicle, contact us today.
You can visit our office at 536 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133.
Or call now for a free consultation on (415) 352-6264.