My Recent Scary Uber Ride
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

My Scary Uber Ride Gave Me A Wake-Up Call

Getting into a car with strangers has been strangely normalized, but it can still be dangerous.

113
My Scary Uber Ride Gave Me A Wake-Up Call
https://unsplash.com/photos/87royqk4t6o

After reading a story about a girl who was almost trafficked after getting into the wrong Uber, I decided to share my own recent scary Uber experience.

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went to a concert about half an hour from his place. When it ended it had gotten dark and it was getting late. After a long day, we were eager to get out of the cold and into bed.

So naturally, we called an Uber. We entered a clean car with a friendly driver and things seemed to be going normally...until he started driving.

Almost immediately I could feel something was off, so I looked out the front windshield and realized we were swerving, barely between the lines. Constantly. I watched the driver's arms move the wheel left and right, on a straight road. He decided it was necessary to slow down significantly for each pothole but wait until the last few seconds to stop for red lights and stop signs.

I gave my boyfriend a concerned look and he returned it with a confused one, so I opened the notes app on my phone and typed "Do you not notice him swerving like crazy?" "Nope", he typed back. He later told me that he responded in that way so I wouldn't freak out, but in the moment, I thought I was crazy for thinking that our driver was proceeding as dangerously as he was. If he was that bad at driving, he would have lost his Uber privileges by now, right?

I get car-sick fairly easily, so after a few minutes, I felt nauseous. I laid my head back and closed my eyes, trying to ease my stomach and my mind.

About halfway through the ride, I couldn't take it anymore. I realized he had to have noticed the horrible driving by now, so I mouthed to my boyfriend, "Should we get out?" He shook his head no, still frustratingly nonchalant. At that point, we were both thinking that sure, the driving was bad, but not quite dangerous enough to make him stop and wait in the cold for another car.

When we arrived at our destination our driver politely said goodbye, and we got out without a word. Or at least I did, not sure if my boyfriend did the same...as soon as the car stopped, I jumped out as quickly as I could.

We talked about what happened, not sure if we made the right decision, but happy to be safe and out if the car. We reported him to Uber for unsafe driving, hoping he'd be off the road soon and went on with our night.

Did we do the right thing? I still don't know. My belief holds true that the driving wasn't quite bad enough to stop the ride, but should we have just to be safe? Maybe. In frightening, surprising situations like that, it's hard to think clearly.

As kids, we're told not to even talk to strangers, let alone get in a car with them. Ride-sharing has been rapidly normalized, and now it's something we don't even think twice about and expect to be safe. For the most part, they are...but there's only so much background checks and ratings can do.

I've lived in Philadelphia for almost a year and a half, and ride-sharing is a typical mode of transportation for me. That won't change any time soon, but I'll definitely be more careful from now on, and I hope after reading this you consider doing the same.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45323
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28664
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953213
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

160112
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments