The Tragedy of a Rideshare Passenger Dropped Off on the Highway: A Reminder of Driver Responsibilities

A woman died on I-25 after being dropped off on the side of the highway by a rideshare driver. Many online commenters believe that the rideshare driver should be held responsible for the woman's death, but the Thornton Police Department says that the driver has no culpability. The police are looking for the driver of a 2002 to 2009 dark-colored Dodge Ram pickup truck that may have been involved in the incident.

The Responsibility of Uber Drivers to Ensure Passenger Safety

As a rideshare driver, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your passengers at all times. This includes making sure that they are dropped off in a safe location, even if the passenger requests to be let out in a potentially dangerous spot.

If you let a passenger out on the highway at night, and they are subsequently hit by a car, you could potentially be held liable for any injuries or damages that result. This is because you had a duty to exercise reasonable care and caution when transporting your passengers, and letting them out on the side of a busy highway at night would likely be considered a breach of that duty.

It is important to remember that the safety of your passengers should always be your top priority. If a passenger asks to be dropped off in a potentially dangerous location, it is your responsibility to explain the risks and suggest a safer alternative. This may involve taking an extra few minutes to find a well-lit, busy area or a parking lot where the passenger can exit the vehicle safely.

In short, as a rideshare driver, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your passengers at all times. This includes making sure that they are dropped off in a safe location, even if it means taking a little extra time to find one.