Uber India — Uber moto reckless driving, verbal abuse, violent threats

Detailed Description of Incident:
On 14th November 2024, at 6:18 PM, I booked an Uber Moto ride from Maula Ali to Topsia. The assigned driver, Mohammad, driving a Bajaj Avenger Street 150, did not arrive at the designated pickup point, necessitating that I walk a significant distance to reach his location. Despite this
inconvenience, I proceeded with the ride, only to experience a series of increasingly alarming

Reckless Driving: From the outset, the driver displayed extremely reckless behavior. He
consistently exceeded legal speed limits, took illegal turns, and ignored multiple traffic
rules, posing a continuous threat to my safety and that of other road users. The manner in which he drove was in clear violation of Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which penalizes dangerous driving, an offense that endangers public safety.

Abusive Language: During the journey, the driver repeatedly shouted abuses at other
motorists and pedestrians. This verbal aggression created an atmosphere of fear and discomfort for me as a passenger. Such behavior constitutes “intentional insult,
” which is recognized under Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for provoking a breach of the peace.

Threatening and Hostile Behavior: Upon reaching the drop-off location at Orchid
Arena, the driver became verbally and physically aggressive when he noticed the fare was paid directly to Uber, rather than to him in cash. He loudly protested, saying the
payment should have gone to him and not to Uber, and expressed hostility toward the
platform. He then proceeded to threaten me, stating that if we encountered each other again, he would forcibly pull me off the bike and leave me stranded. His threats left me fearing for my personal safety, and this form of intimidation is legally actionable under Section 506 of the IPC, which addresses “criminal intimidation.”

Public Disturbance: The driver’s threats and abusive behavior were not only directed at
me but were loud enough to cause a disturbance, witnessed by security personnel at the drop-off location. His conduct in a public place not only violated personal safety standards but also Section 283 of the IPC, which prohibits actions that obstruct public
spaces and safety.

Formal Requests and Required Actions
Given the severe nature of this incident, I respectfully request that Uber, the Kolkata Police, and the Kolkata RTO take the following actions to ensure justice and safeguard public safety:

For Uber:
Immediate Suspension of the Driver: Uber should suspend or permanently bar this
driver from the platform to prevent any further incidents, in alignment with Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which authorizes disqualification for endangering public safety.

Provision of Driver and Vehicle Details: As the vehicle registration number was not
visible to me, I request that Uber release these details to the authorities to enable legal action.

Compensation for Harassment and Trauma: Given the trauma and distress caused by
this incident, I request compensation under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (CPA),
which upholds consumers’ rights to safety and redressal.

Enhanced Safety Measures for Moto Services: This incident underscores a significant safety risk within Uber’s Moto services. I urge Uber to implement stricter screening and conduct protocols for its drivers.

For Kolkata Police and the RTO:
Immediate Investigation and Formal Charges: I request that an investigation be
conducted into the driver’s reckless driving, verbal abuse, and threats, with charges filed
under Sections 184 of the MVA, and Sections 504 and 506 of the IPC.
License Review and Suspension: This driver’s license should be reviewed and
revoked if necessary, given his dangerous conduct, as per Section 19 of the MVA.
Legal Action for Public Endangerment: The driver’s behavior demonstrates a gross
disregard for public safety, and I urge appropriate legal action to be taken to hold him accountable.

Next Steps and Consequences
Uber has 30 days to respond to this complaint with a satisfactory resolution, which should include monetary compensation, confirmation of action against the driver, and the implementation of stricter safety protocols for Moto services.

Failure to respond will result in
additional legal actions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as I am entitled to seek
punitive damages for gross negligence in service standards and consumer safety.
This incident reveals critical vulnerabilities in current safety measures, especially with Moto services, and it is essential that robust actions are taken to prevent further occurrences and ensure customer protection.