JayDNZ
Thanks for your comments. I am the driver that this happened to and I thought it was important to answer the challenges you rightly pose.
You say I took no responsibility for what happened. Well I have to say I wasn't responsible for the major contributory factor - the women had too much too drink and in the end were not in a safe condition to travel. The trigger was my decision to terminate, they had real difficulty in accepting that I did that.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and I have racked my brain to try and learn lessons about what I might have done differently to de-esclate the situation. That is an essential skill drivers have to have in order to control risk -- knowing when to be assertive and when to let things go, knowing how to keep people cool under pressure. I'm sure these skills have saved me from eventual trouble many times.
I reject your charge that I became 'morally outraged'. What makes you think that? I've been blind drunk a thousand times myself (although I've never felt the need to racially or physically abuse anyone). I've not commented at all on their morals or their personal choices. I've only commented on their behavior with me and the potential risk they posed to themselves and other drivers.
You say I could/should have put distance between them and myself. In fact I did. I moved some distance away from the scene before making my report to Uber. I made no attempt to establish any further direct contact. I only went to warn the arriving Uber driver. Now I'm glad you acknowledge that was a good thing but then you say 'but it’s for that driver to evaluate the risks for him/her self' - how could he do that properly unless I shared my experience with him that they had been over the line drunk and abusive? Uber certainly don't share any risk analysis with us so it seems to me us drivers have to look out for one another. After warning the driver and taking a picture of the drunk girls I immediately left the scene but was followed back across the street and at that point, mid assault, I did ask the perpetrator why she was still confronting me and not looking after her sick friends. Yes, taking the picture, was an aggravating factor. But the picture in no way compromised the women's modesty. They were wearing trousers and there was no inappropriate exposure. The fact is, I felt it was important to take the picture as I was aware that the incident was serious. Without the picture as evidence it would be my word against three and I could face a very real risk of deactivation and loss of livelihood. Perhaps if Uber were to more publicly back drivers up and send a message to the public just as airlines do that 'cab rage' won't be tolerated, then I wouldn't have felt the need. As it is Uber is happy on twitter to leave the customer the impression that drivers are to blame for every customer service problem from surging to credit card fraud to cancellation fees. This build up of mistrust, IMHO, creates risk for us on the streets.
On the Police -- I disagree. The Police made no mistakes whatsoever. They were sympathetic and supportive. They have kept me informed every step of the way and told me repeatedly of the delays they were encountering with Uber which they too felt was unacceptable.
But lets get back to your core point about personal responsibility and good/bad decisions. In retrospect, if I had stayed in my car I could have avoided a lot of trouble. I could have avoided the racially aggravated assault and the danger when a third party jumped into the fray. That situation was frankly, out of control and could have ended very badly. I had a split second to make my decision - not the luxury of hours we have here on an on line forum to second guess that decision. Would I do the same again? I don't know.
But one thing I am absolutely sure of -- and quite contrary to what you suggest -- the responsible thing to do was exactly what I did do. That is to warn colleagues, to report the matter to the police and Uber and to absolutely insist action was taken? And this isn't just an issue of personal responsibility, its an issue of community responsibility. Its like the broken window syndrome. If we drivers are prepared to accept that kind of behaviour, accept that Uber will not back us up with Police cooperation then we will end up with a situation where one of us ends up dead or seriously injured. There must be zero tolerance for one so that ALL of us can expect to go home in one piece each and every night. So if anything, rather than not taking responsibility, maybe I am guilty of taking too much responsibility while Uber took too little. Why have you not mentioned Uber's responsibility?
It's your choice to carry very drunk people. But we're alone out there and we have to make the final decisions for ourselves as you rightly acknowledge by weighing the risk for ourselves the best we can and to make the right decision on the spot. But when we say no, no must mean no, without attack or abuse. I won't carry people who are out of control drunk (ie. are not fully conscious or who have just or appear to be about to vomit). That's my bottom line and I'm sticking to it.
What have I learned?
1. Drivers should NEVER accept racial, verbal or physical abuse. Terminate the journey. Report the matter to the police and Uber. Get a crime reference number and keep following up with the police and Uber to insist action is take. Gather what evidence you can - take pictures, note location and time, note description of attackers. As soon as possible -- ie. stop work and write down all the facts you can while the memory is fresh. If we are permissive about this and accept violence and abuse - well, it's a slippery slope to a very bad end.
2. Look out for fellow drivers while out on the road and at the usual meeting places. Advise them to do the same as suggested above. Some drivers may not have the confidence to speak out about this. Support and encourage them to do so. Ask them if they are ok.
3. When possible and appropriate always and continuously ask Uber and any other operator what actions they are taking to help keep us safe on the roads. Safety must always be on the operational agenda and needs to be worked at every day.
Always look after the other guy. Who knows, God forbid, one day it might be you.
