September 6, 2019
It’s frightening being in the car with an unsafe driver, but it’s something most people experience at one time or another. Maybe it’s a family member who just got their license and doesn’t take the risk seriously enough. Maybe it’s a friend who says they’re safe to drive but who clearly had a bit too much to drink.
Or, maybe it’s someone you hired to drive you around, trusting them to be safe and responsible. For example, one person related their trip in a Lyft vehicle, which is a ride-sharing option. They said that the driver weaved all over the road, cut through traffic, broke the speed limit and even attempted to race another car. Moreover, he yelled out the window at pedestrians and generally made the passenger feel both unsafe and uncomfortable.
If you ever find yourself in a situation like this, remove yourself from it as fast as you can. Do not ride with that person. More than 30,000 people die every year in car accidents. It is not worth the risk.
Yes, it can be awkward to tell someone to pull over and let you out. They may think you are overreacting. They may feel insulted. But, at the end of the day, you have to consider your own safety. If the person’s driving makes you nervous, you know it’s time to find a new means of transportation.
Now, if you cannot get out fast enough and that driver causes an accident, you could get seriously injured. Make sure you know what legal rights you have to compensation for your medical bills.
