6 second YouTube video of an Uber car accident
Be like these passengers and always buckle up, because you just never know, you could be sitting at a stop sign even.
Let’s be honest—rideshare driving isn’t just about picking people up and dropping them off. It’s part navigation, part customer service, and part survival of the weirdest. After thousands of rides, I’ve seen it all: people crying, people making deals, people passed out, people rapping their mixtapes at full volume (without asking). Most rides are fine—some are even great—but when things go south, it’s usually because the passenger forgets one simple thing:
We’re people too.
So here it is: from someone who’s been driving the graveyard shift, the airport runs, the Friday night chaos, and everything in between—what actually makes a good passenger.
1. Be Ready When You Request
Nothing kills momentum like pulling up to the pin and… nothing. No passenger in sight. No movement. Just a building or a driveway or a parking lot. Then I get the “Coming out now!” text—and I sit there watching the timer run, hoping I don’t get a parking ticket or block a driveway.
Ordering a ride? Be ready to go. I’m not trying to rush you, but the app doesn’t pay me to wait. Those two or three minutes you burn scrambling for your shoes or saying bye to your friends? That adds up—especially during busy hours.
Bonus tip: If you’re ordering a ride for someone else, tell them it’s on the way. No one likes surprising a stranger with a 5-minute wait.
2. Respect the Ride
Treat the car like you’re borrowing it from a friend. Because in a way, you are.
Don’t slam the doors. Don’t eat messy food. Don’t leave trash. I once found a half-eaten burrito under my passenger seat two hours after a ride. That’s not just gross—it’s disrespectful. I keep my car clean for a reason, and when someone wrecks it, I either have to clean it up or lose money turning down rides while I fix the mess.
Same goes for drinks. Water is fine. Open cocktails? Not so much. If you spill beer in the backseat at 1 a.m., congratulations—you’ve just ended my night early and I’ll be reporting it for a cleaning fee.
3. Don’t Treat Me Like Your Chauffeur (Or Therapist)
I’m driving you, not serving you. There’s a difference. Most drivers want to help—we’ll adjust the music, we’ll make stops, we’ll talk if you want to talk—but we’re not your personal assistant. I’ve had people snap fingers for the AUX cord, bark directions like I’m a butler, or expect me to make five “quick” stops on a ten-minute ride.
And while I get that rides can sometimes bring out emotions (breakups, job interviews, family fights), I’m not always in a position to carry your full story at 2 a.m. Especially if I’m five rides deep and still caffeinating to stay sharp.
I’ll listen if you want to talk, and I’m always down for real conversation. But I’m not a therapist, and it’s okay if we just ride in silence.
4. Use Your Seatbelt. Every Time.
This isn’t optional. You might think it’s just a quick trip or that the back seat is “safe,” but I’m responsible for everyone in the car. If I get in an accident and you’re not buckled, it’s not just your problem—it’s mine too.
Don’t make it awkward. Just click it. It takes two seconds and keeps everyone safe.
5. Share the Space
Late nights, packed Ubers, group rides—it can get crowded. But it doesn’t have to get uncomfortable. A good passenger understands that space is limited. That means no sprawling out, no laying across the back seat, no blocking people’s exits.
If you’re in a group, keep the noise reasonable. You’re not in a club, and drivers can’t focus when four people are yelling over each other while GPS is trying to give directions.
And if someone else is already in the car (like during shared rides), don’t act like they’re invading your space. We’re all trying to get somewhere. A little chill goes a long way.
6. Rate Fairly. Tip Honestly.
The star rating isn’t Yelp. It affects our livelihood. If I drive safely, get you there on time, and treat you with respect, that should be a five-star ride—even if the music wasn’t your favorite or I didn’t laugh at your joke.
Low ratings hurt. Enough of them, and we risk being deactivated. So don’t treat stars like a hotel review. If something genuinely went wrong, bring it up—or leave a comment. Otherwise, five stars is the default.
And tips? Look—I know it’s not required. But if I went out of my way, waited patiently, handled your bags, or drove through late-night traffic so you didn’t have to—throwing a few bucks shows you noticed. We remember that stuff.
7. Don’t Be Creepy
This should go without saying, but here we are.
No hitting on your driver. No weird comments. No asking if I’m single or where I live or if I want to “hang out” after my shift. Men do it. Women do it. Drunk people especially do it. And it makes the whole ride uncomfortable.
I’m here to get you from point A to B. Respect that boundary.
8. Communicate Clearly
If you have a preferred route, let me know—nicely. If you’re waiting at a tricky pickup spot, drop a pin accurately or send a quick message. If your building has a weird entrance, describe it.
The app helps, but it’s not perfect. A little clear communication saves time, confusion, and frustration. Plus, it shows you care about the experience being smooth for both of us.
Final Thought: We’re Just Two People Sharing a Ride
That’s it. That’s the secret. This whole thing works best when both the driver and the passenger treat each other like people. Not like an employee, not like a robot, not like a threat—but like two humans who just happen to be sharing 15 minutes of road.
Be decent. Be aware. Be a little thoughtful.
That’s what makes a good passenger—and makes me want to pick you up again the next time you need a ride.
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Got your own do’s and don’ts as a passenger or driver? Drop them in the comments—I’ll read them between rides.
That reads 6000 5 star trips.
