[IDriveForUber]

Of the various policies and laws that I choose to enforce on riders, none are more difficult than enforcing the wearing of seatbelts here in Las Vegas.

This has cost me in tips as riders feel they are not required to wear a seatbelt or that because other drivers do not enforce, they think I'm some brutal rule-enforcing driver that wants to make them follow the rules to feed my inferiority complex. Of course, the front passenger seat is the easiest to deal with because my vehicle makes this really loud irritating beeping when it detects weight in that seat and the seat belt isn't fastened.

So far I think the only thing I've come up with is to discuss that Vegas is crazy with drunk drivers and people randomly changing lanes across the road without warning and I may have to slam on the brakes making them fly into to whatever is in front of them. This is an easier sell when getting on the freeway, but I think most people have difficulty envisioning this in typical street traffic, even though it happens somewhat regularly here despite the overly-defensive driving I engage in when I have riders.

Any advice on handling this would be much appreciated. I really don't want riders who are not buckled in, but I also can't afford to almost never get tips, as it seems nearly all riders do not want to wear their seatbelts (except Canadians).

 

[Mad_Jack_Flint]

They know and just do not care.

I leave them alone but yesterday a woman asked me and I told her simply it is your life but if you know how they drive here I would buckle up but personally I don’t care 🤷‍♂️…

 

[Beninmankato]

If they are adults it's on them. If they are children I will make sure they are properly restrained.

 

[Emptynesst]

Since I’m in your Vegas market and drive an XL as well . I don’t care if the pax wear the seatbelts or not , my job is to provide the seatbelts , not enforce the use of them , baby’s are mandatory car seat for me or no ride . The rest make their own decisions

 

[SinTaxERROR]

On a side note… In NJ the driver gets ticketed for any unbuckled pax. Might want to check the law in your state to see who is responsible for paying seatbelt tickets…

 

[Seamus]

Of the various policies and laws that I choose to enforce on riders, none are more difficult than enforcing the wearing of seatbelts here in Las Vegas.

This has cost me in tips as riders feel they are not required to wear a seatbelt or that because other drivers do not enforce, they think I'm some brutal rule-enforcing driver that wants to make them follow the rules to feed my inferiority complex. Of course, the front passenger seat is the easiest to deal with because my vehicle makes this really loud irritating beeping when it detects weight in that seat and the seat belt isn't fastened.

So far I think the only thing I've come up with is to discuss that Vegas is crazy with drunk drivers and people randomly changing lanes across the road without warning and I may have to slam on the brakes making them fly into to whatever is in front of them. This is an easier sell when getting on the freeway, but I think most people have difficulty envisioning this in typical street traffic, even though it happens somewhat regularly here despite the overly-defensive driving I engage in when I have riders.

Any advice on handling this would be much appreciated. I really don't want riders who are not buckled in, but I also can't afford to almost never get tips, as it seems nearly all riders do not want to wear their seatbelts (except Canadians).

You should get the details of the law for your state as there are big differences between states.

1. Who pays the fine the driver or the offender?
2. How much is the fine?
3. Is it a points violation?

Those three questions vary by state and help to determine your respons. In my state, as an example if there are 3 pax in the car:

1. Driver is responsible for all pax seatbelt compliance.
2. The fine and surcharges can end up around $200 each violation. 3 pax unbelted would cost ME $600.
3. Each unbelted pax is a 3 point violation for the driver. 3 pax would be 9 points on my license so it could be suspended or major insurance ramification.

Your state might be different but in my state you think IGF about stars and $5 tips when it could cost me alot of money and a suspended license?

 

[UberBastid]

Was in Mexico a few years ago.
We got a great driver at the airport and we offered him a job moving us around. Hourly pay for minimum of 12 hours a day to be at our call, plus mileage when we were moving. We tipped the hell out of him, and fed him well.
On the way from the airport to the hotel we stopped at a store and bought a case of Pacifico. Driver loaded it up and took enough out for all of our party (and him), asked if we wanted one ... hell yes.
He used the seatbelt buckle to pop the bottle caps off. I said, "So THAT'S what that thing is for." Driver laughed and said, "Si. Here that is exactly what it is for."

 

[Beninmankato]

• Minnesota’s seat belt law is a primary offense, meaning drivers and passengers in all seating positions — including in the backseat — must be buckled up or in the correct child restraint.
• Law enforcement will stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers. A seat belt ticket is $25 but can cost more than $100 with fees.
• Drivers will be ticketed for unbelted passengers ages 14 and younger. Unbelted passengers age 15 and older will be ticketed directly.

 

[Disgusted Driver]

In NC it's the pax issue if they are adults so I don't play seatbelt monitor.

 

[Rampage]

I find that getting out to check that the belt is secured increases tips.

 

[Bellibi]

Right

 

[groovycora]

I agree. Today I saw a ton of accidents. A driver almost hit me TWICE. I told both passengers to buckle up because if anyone gets hurt I will be sad. I cannot control all the drivers on the road. I think if you just tell them you value their safety they usually appreciate it. I would say 90% of my passengers do not buckle up and I don't get it. Takes less than a minute and could save their life. But maybe they want to chance flying out the car windshield and ending up with brain damage.

 

[UberBastid]

I agree. Today I saw a ton of accidents. A driver almost hit me TWICE. I told both passengers to buckle up because if anyone gets hurt I will be sad. I cannot control all the drivers on the road. I think if you just tell them you value their safety they usually appreciate it. I would say 90% of my passengers do not buckle up and I don't get it. Takes less than a minute and could save their life. But maybe they want to chance flying out the car windshield and ending up with brain damage.

I can't imagine 'forgetting' to buckle up.
I feel like my zipper is down if I'm not buckled up.
And driving ... I feel like I have LESS control.
I know its just a feeling ... but, it feels off balance or something.

 

[elelegido]

It's a big deal if an unbuckled person in the back is sitting behind the driver. If there's a crash then the driver is going to have a 200lb (300+lb if in the United States) man behind him who is going to turn into an airborne dead weight headed straight for him at high speed.

I don't risk my safety - rear seat pax behind me has to buckle up.

 

[painfreepc]

Sometimes I will ask my younger passengers if they've ever seen the movie Double tap, please buckle up let's not recreate the opening scene, in case of an accident.

 

[Volvonaut]

It's a big deal if an unbuckled person in the back is sitting behind the driver. If there's a crash then the driver is going to have a 200lb (300+lb if in the United States) man behind him who is going to turn into an airborne dead weight headed straight for him at high speed.

I don't risk my safety - rear seat pax behind me has to buckle up.

This is the only point that matters. I mean of course citations even if rarely enforced are a finer point but I do hope everyone in this thread is aware how quickly loose objects including people can be ejected from their seat and literally bouncing off your roof or flying forward over the rows. Even buckled my head bounced right off the roof when a viscous, crazy little girl rammed my back wheel full speed at an angle with her Mini Cooper just sliding on a slick road on a rainy April night. Only accident I’ve ever had on the job and it was on the way to a pickup. Anyway you’ve got to really appreciate the forces at play in a car and never underestimate them. Defensive driving should also be based off potential.

 

[PoPotoGo]

I always enforce the front seat pax, as that ticket is mine if stopped in NJ. The 2nd and 3rd row pax, that’s on them. Mostly because if you “make” a passenger do anything, you’re going to be down rated for sure. I say that knowing full well that every body that’s unsecured is going to become a missile in a car accident,

 

[Heisenburger]

In my state, as an example if there are 3 pax in the car:

1. Driver is responsible for all pax seatbelt compliance.
2. The fine and surcharges can end up around $200 each violation. 3 pax unbelted would cost ME $600.
3. Each unbelted pax is a 3 point violation for the driver. 3 pax would be 9 points on my license so it could be suspended or major insurance ramification.

Thats quite draconian. I suppose it's less of a sell given that any routine rider in that state, whether a resident or a returning visitor, would likely already know about that law and not argue it.

 

[Stevie The magic Unicorn]

I'm suddenly reminded of one of the top most disgusting and heinously unsafe things that a passenger has done.

Keep in mind this was a 5-10 minute drive once they were in the car.

This lady takes her infant out of the car seat and proceeded to change the babies diaper while I'm driving the car.


Thank god I didn't pot holes or get into an accident. I can just imagine a dirty diaper flying accross the vehicle before the baby gets shot out a window and run over.

 

[68350]

In AZ all front seat occupants must be strapped in. In the back seat, ADULTS 16 and older do NOT have to wear seat belts. Anyone in the car under 16 must wear belts regardless of position. I just LOVE it when I have a parent with a 0-1 year old trying to tell me they will just HOLD their baby... yeah not in my car.