A mum and her son have spoken out after what they described as a frightening 10-minute Uber journey, during which the driver allegedly swerved, braked harshly and used his phone while driving. The incident was reported by the Manchester Evening News, which spoke to the pair following their trip to Greater Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
According to the M.E.N., the mother booked an Uber for a short journey but said she quickly became concerned by the driver’s behaviour. She claimed the car accelerated sharply, weaved during the ride and that the driver appeared distracted. Her son said he felt “scared” and later told reporters he would “think twice” before using Uber again after the experience.
Uber confirmed to the M.E.N. that they were investigating the complaint.
DM News Commentary
This story is a reminder to all private hire and taxi drivers — and operators — that passenger safety and professionalism must remain the absolute priority. Any driving that feels erratic, distracted or unsafe can seriously damage trust in the entire industry, not just one operator.
For Uber drivers and traditional private hire firms alike, this highlights a few key points:
- Phone use must be hands-free only — even momentary distraction reflects badly on the whole profession.
- Smooth, safe driving is essential, particularly when transporting children or vulnerable passengers.
- Passengers are far more likely to report concerns now, especially with in-app feedback and growing public awareness.
- Complaints like this can lead to investigations, licence reviews, or account deactivations.
For drivers working in busy areas such as Greater Manchester, keeping standards high is crucial. A single negative experience can shape public perception — and in this case, it has led a young passenger to question whether he’d ever use Uber again.
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