Uber's New Policy on Drunk Passengers: A Contradiction or Common Sense?

A recent meme making rounds on social media has sparked a heated debate about Uber's potential new policy to refuse service to drunk passengers. The meme, which features a split image, captures the essence of the controversy. The upper section of the meme displays a headline stating, "Uber will soon know if you’re drunk and could refuse to pick you up," accompanied by a photograph of a group of men in formal suits at a social gathering. One of the men holds up a phone with the Uber app, while another takes a shot of liquor, and the others smile and enjoy themselves.

The lower section highlights a tweet by a user named "mama" with the handle "@mckenziedenisee," which reads, "....that....defeats,,,, the whole point of Uber???"

The meme underscores the irony in Uber's proposed policy, considering many people rely on ridesharing services to get home safely after drinking.

The online community has been vocal about their opinions. One user questioned, "Does Uber want you to drink and drive?" Another shared a solution from their own experience: "We had a service that would drive you and your vehicle home, so even if you drove to the bar/party you'd get home safe." The sentiment is echoed by another comment: "Hopefully this will just make people call a taxi and put Uber out of business. A guy can dream right."

Others see the logic in Uber's policy. A user commented, "I'm kinda with Uber on this one. There's 'I'm too drunk to drive and I just need a ride home,' and then there's 'I'm so drunk I can't stand up, I want to fight everyone, and I'm gonna throw up,' and the driver is not paid enough to deal with that."

The topic isn't new; one commenter noted, "That was from back in 2018. Still haven't seen it implemented." The debate extends to the challenges drivers face. A former driver shared a harrowing experience: "I know a driver who took a couple of drunk men the other night; they puked inside the car, yelled threatening stuff, and slapped him a little. They refused to pay, so he called the cops. The whole night was wasted."

The concerns are not unfounded. Another user, a taxi operator, explained, "I'll refuse anybody who has been over-served. They wake up and freak out or vomit and refuse the cleaning bill. Also, your insurance won't cover you if they trip and fall."

Despite the mixed reactions, it's clear that the issue is complex. While some argue that Uber's policy might defeat the purpose of ridesharing, others believe it’s necessary to protect drivers from extreme situations. As the meme continues to circulate, it highlights the ongoing debate about the responsibilities of ridesharing companies and their passengers.