Most people expect their rideshare driver to take them from Point A to Point B. There may be some unexpected chit-chat, they might be talking on the phone the whole time, or it could be a pleasant ride with good tunes.
What most people aren’t ready for is for the ride to include an unauthorized pit stop. What would you do if your driver suddenly took a detour to run an errand?
Uber Car Wash
In a viral video with more than 294,000 views, content creator Alex Eden (@therealalexeden) took a video of herself from inside her Uber as soap and water sprayed across the windows.
“When was my uber driver gonna tell me we were stopping at the car wash,” she asked in the text overlay.
The footage shows the car moving through an automatic car wash, with brushes and soap covering the windows. Eden pans the camera to show her Uber driver, who appears unbothered by the situation.
“Ummm like I’m bouta be late for work,” Eden shared.
The video doesn’t show whether Eden confronted the driver during the wash or how much time the detour added to her trip. But it’s clear she wasn’t asked permission.
What Uber’s Policies Say About Mid-Ride Stops
According to Uber’s help center, the company acknowledges that drivers shouldn’t make unplanned or unrequested stops along the way.
But the issue goes beyond just extra charges.
West Coast Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers state that drivers making personal stops during rides violate both Uber and Lyft’s Terms of Service and Driver Agreements.
When a driver accepts a ride request, they’re contractually agreeing to provide transportation service, not to use that time for personal business. This behavior can lead to driver deactivation.
According to the law firm, riders have the right to a safe and uninterrupted trip, the right to know the planned route and arrival time, and the right to report misconduct.
Plus, deviations from the route can make a passenger feel unsafe and like they have no control of the situation.
If you find yourself in Eden’s situation, the law firm recommends you take these steps:
- Remain calm and document the time, location, and nature of the stop.
- Politely express that you’re uncomfortable with the detour.
- Exit the vehicle safely if the situation seems suspicious or unsafe.
- Take screenshots of the route, trip summary, or receipts.
- Report it to Uber immediately through the in-app help section.
Commenters React
“He ab to make you help vacuum too,” a top comment joked.
“He gave you a free car wash experience, a win is a win,” a person said.
“I’ve been driving for 10 years, there’s absolutely no reason a driver should be stopping for anything unless its a mechanical issue,” another wrote.
“That’s kind of scary. If my male driver did this unannounced I would freak out,” a commenter added.
@therealalexeden Ummm like I’m bouta be late for work #fyp #nyc #NY #fypシ゚viral
BroBible reached out to Eden for comment via Instagram and TikTok direct message and to Uber via email.