Lyft does not have official rules on whether drivers undergo a psychological test before starting to drive for the app, only there are calls from the general public that Uber and Lyft must require their drivers to go through these tests.
But, Lyft drivers can have the test on their own. That said, it is also time for passengers using Lyft to first ensure they are mentally sound before hailing a ride?
This idea came out after a man, a Lyft passenger from New Mexico, was accused of choking his Lyft driver, causing the driver to lose control of the car. Here’s the story.
Choking incident
A report from correspondent Andrea Torres, who said in her profile she is an Emmy award-winning journalist, stated that the New Mexico passenger was put to jail on Monday for attacking his driver and police officers in southern Miami-Dade County.
Torres cited a police report stating that the man is named Frederic Levesque. Last Saturday, he looked for a Lyft ride to take him from Ranchos de Taos, which is near Homestead.
Levesque chose to sit behind the driver, not beside him, as what is normally done, but “suddenly began pulling his hoodie” backward, then choking the driver, causing the car to lose control.
The police report also stated that while he was in the backseat, he also started “kicking the door” and hurting his wrists from “tossing around” while in handcuffs after his arrest along Southwest 296 Street, near 182 Avenue.
Telenovela-esque action
But that’s not it. What you are about to read is comparable to what you see in Latin telenovelas. Fire rescue officers took Levesque to the Homestead Hospital, where he struggled with police personnel and reached for one of their guns, just like the song in the “Chicago” theatrical play. He also took a radio, the police stated.
On Monday, the perpetrator was already at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center facing two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and depriving them of means of protection of communication, and battery, as what penal codes state.
How does Lyft fare when ensuring safety for drivers, riders?
Right now, interestingly, while there are official safety policies published on the Lyft official website, there are no particular clauses on that type of assault, except for sexual assault.
However, there are rules on bringing weapons inside Lyft cars.
“Lyft has a strict ‘No Weapons’ policy for all of its properties. This includes Lyft Hubs and service centers. Our ‘No Weapons’ policy applies at all times when you are driving on the Lyft platform, as well as times that you are visiting a Lyft Hub. This means that even in regions where it is legal to carry a weapon, we ask that you do not carry a weapon on any Lyft property,” the official website stated.
Lyft also has regulations on keeping passengers safe.
Should Lyft rethink its policies on ensuring its drivers are safe? Interact to share your thoughts!