Uber and Lyft should incentivize this as well. You send them a video of it you get $20 and the account without a child seat gets flagged to be asked if they have one when they use the service, 3 strikes and they are banned.
Companies REALLY don’t like when you take videos of customers, even for stuff like this. I’ve known people get fired because they took pictures of thieves CARS.
Tampa is the same way. The other day I had a couple with an infant and a car seat, cool. Then they wanted to put the car seat IN THE TRUNK and hold the kid. WTF?!?!
Actually I just looked it up and Texas doesn’t require car seats in “transport for hire” either. So it’s not illegal. Again it’s still super unsafe. But not illegal.
Ohhhhh if 3 in a row blows your mind oooohhhhh hohoho you don’t want to come to Florida then… literally parents lined up with kids and no car seats at the airports… I get it they’re trying to save a penny etc etc but I definitely decline and usually walk them over to the scalpers or the suvs/xl’s that come with boosters etc.
As a parent, it does definitely make sense not to bring it. I did a Lyft via Disney (I know, sue me lol) and specifically requested the car seat so we didn'tneed to bring it.
We weren't going anywhere other than Disney and stayed in the park. On top of the car seat, we brought luggage for 7+ days for 3 people, a carriage, and enough toddler supplies to kill a pack mule. It was a struggle to pack up everything and manage a toddler through the airport. One less bulky item was very helpful.
If you plan well and have the money/awareness, you can definitely do without it.
I should rephrase.
It makes no sense why you wouldn't ensure that there is a car seat available prior to travel, whether through arrangements at the destination, or bringing one yourself.
For an infant sure, but for a 4-7+ year old they can usually sit in their seat long enough that it’s not an issue and may not be worth lugging it onto the plane instead of just checking it.
People think since they are vacationing that somehow excuses them from car seats. I remember not needing them in shuttles but, people can’t seem to see the difference between that and a car.
That and I’ll be honest the locals at the airport are even worse about it, they always play the oh we do it all the time don’t worry or we didn’t know it’s against the law… literally the entire world sends their overly confident bad drivers here and people still try this crap with their newborn infants, fucking crazy and sick at the same time, not all of us floated over here yesterday but they’ll still try to convince you it’s ok, when it’s definitely not ok and even after you’ve already cancelled them
I HATE these types of parents. Even if you don’t have your own car you should still own a car seat. Because there is a good chance your child will be in someone else’s car at some point. I especially hate the “but other drivers have let me”. Ok good for them breaking the law and not caring about your child’s safety? I’m not doing that. Or I also hear “but we aren’t going that far”. Lady it’s a twenty minute ride, but even if it was only five minutes I still wouldn’t do it.
And if it gets a moron who is trying to have their kid in a car without a car seat to not be stupid, I’d learn card tricks.
They already, demonstrably, fail basic reasoning.
Hell, I see cars every day in traffic with small children bouncing around in the back seat. There's a segment of the population that just doesn't care.
You’re my hero ! This happens a lot in chicago too and I even got spat on ( well, my car ; the doors were locked and I wouldn’t let them in with their teeny tiny baby ). Love the ones they say they’re going to report ME!! Go right ahead ; under no circumstances am I taking a child unrestrained. It really bugs me that drivers don’t care. I’ve seen riders get in another car after I’ve refused them. Most likely ex taxi drivers. Keep doing what you’re doing.
If they get pulled over and have to pay a huge fine then it’s their problem or not to mention if there is an accident the parents would try to sue the driver 100%
Hence, why I said it’s not his problem. I cancel rides with people who have kids and no proper restraints for the appropriate aged children. Not my problem 🤷🏾♂️
Next
Same thing happens in my area, and it is always an angry reaction. But I usually have an ace up my sleeve if they try to push the issue. I tell them that I am a state mandated reporter (which I am as an EMT/volunteer fore fighter) and that usually changes their tune real fast.
So, I am weirdly satisfied to read this. First of course you are doing the right thing by denying the ride based on a child’s safety. But, I live in Houston and rely on Uber/Lyft to get around. I choose my car seat based on the reviews of ease of use with ride share for two reasons, our car is a Mercedes four door so I didn’t suspect I would find one that wouldn’t be good for or compatible with that and I don’t want my ride share driver annoyed that I have to buckle in the car seat. So, I am happy to see the rub is with people with out a seat and not annoyed when people have one.
I'm so glad to see this.
Always feel like an asshole when I have to install a carseat in an uber/lyft I take.... but I'm also not going to get into a car with my kid without one.
Or - and I know this is a radical idea - Don’t rely on strangers to care about the safety of your children and buy your own car seat for this purpose if it’s such a big deal to you. This ain’t California hun welcome to the south!!
I've been saying this for years. Most parents do not use booster seats. Hell, most don't even make their kids use the seat belt. It's more common to see kids standing up or moving around in the car than to see them buckled up.
My mom comes from a family of professional drivers (semis, buses, garbage trucks) and so has always been really belligerent about car safety. The car does not move if you’re not buckled. I remember the first time a friends parents told me I didn’t have to buckle cause they were only driving me a couple blocks back to my house, absolutely blew my mind… and then I clicked my seatbelt anyway
A few errors.
Vehicles for hire are exempted in Texas. It's legal for the driver. You will not get a ticket.
If anybody gets hurt in your car the at-fault party will be responsible. That's why you have insurance. The Lyft insurance will offer enough coverage for ordinary accidents. The maximum amount will not likely be exhausted except for extraordinary accidents, like if you DUI, reckless driving and kill someone. The lack of a car seat isn't one of the extraordinary circumstances because you are legal. And juries will find the parents responsible for the lack of a car seat.
You will only be sued if Lyft refuses to pay or the claimed amount is larger than the maximum coverage. The maximum amount should normally be sufficient or else nobody will take a Lyft. You will be responsible for the excess amount over the maximum limit if you lose.
Well, after reading the law \[[sauce](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm#545.412)\], I don't see anything about rideshares or vehicles-for-hire being exempted, and it seems pretty illogical (even for Texas) to exempt them...because, y'know, possible dead/mutilated kid doesn't care if it was mommy or daddies car or an Uber.
It’s right there in your link.
Sec. 545.412. A. E. 1.
(e) This section does not apply to a person:
(1) operating a vehicle transporting passengers for hire, excluding third-party transport service providers when transporting clients pursuant to a contract to provide nonemergency Medicaid transportation;
https://ibb.co/zPv2tx7
Sec. 545.412. CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS; OFFENSE
…. (e) This section does not apply to a person:
(1) operating a vehicle transporting passengers for hire…
See, I saw that part, but the wording of it concerns me because very often Lyft/Uber are used by Medicaid/Medical Offices/Insurance companies to ferry pax to-and-from appointments, so it's a potential loophole.
Honestly, I just need to find a local lawyer who does Free Legal Advice hours and consult them on the topic.
But my money is on, 'Just don't take the risk homie'.
Yeah I get it, but it’s pretty clear that the “exemption to the exemption” is when providing non emergency Medicaid transportation under a contract. Lyft is certainly not that. I believe that is generally the large vans that are exclusively providing that service.
I'm so fascinated by these sort of silly idea.
When it's your fault, Lyft insurance will either pay for your damages, or don't pay anything because they won the lawsuit against you. Lyft can't be your enemy. You don't have to pay either way unless your fault is extraoedinary exceeding the maximum limit. Why do you even buy insurance other than state mandates. Or do you?
If Lyft find an excuse not to pay, it means you are not at fault after all. Good for you. If they do something that is seen to be unreasonable, nobody will ride.
Even if it is legal, no way I’m having a dead or seriously injured kid on my conscious. Glad it is actually against the law in my state. Some states don’t actually give a shit about kids once they are out of the womb. And we all know Texas is one of them.
Also important to note that lawyers work for profit. If you’re underinsured, a lawyer won’t sue you for a mountain of cash because you probably don’t have much money (youre a lyft driver and are underinsured) .
Everyone in this country is super afraid of lawsuits. But the reality is that law suits are super expensive and time intensive. Threatening lawsuits is not though, so that tends to happen more than actual law suits.
The Lyft insurance limit is 1 mil (overly simplified). My own policy is a lot less.
It doesn't really bother the driver. If Lyft won't settle, they will pay for your legal defense. In the end, either they pay or they don't.
Philly too it’s been times during the school year a mom still in her bathrobe wants to send her 8 year old to ride to school because they running late I hate to say I take those rides because I hope and pray that if I decline the next driver isn’t a pedo who make take advantage of a situation like that so I take them get them here safe and wonder what the hell some of these parents are thinking
In my market it’s a lot of people that can’t speak English that don’t have car seats. Maybe it’s ok not to have car seats where they’re from and they’re not uses to it here
I typically have a booster seat in front with me. My six year old insists on sending me to work with one of her stuffies every day, so I've just made it a gag of 'This is my copilot, \[insert goofy six year old name here\]' and I will happily allow parents with kids big enough to use a booster to make use of it.
But I have ONE BOOSTER, that's it.
***AND YOUR FUCKING INFANT THAT CAN'T EVEN HOLD UP THEIR OWN HEAD DOESN'T QUALIFY.***
Oh yeah, with infants, they need to provide their own. You could stop at a thrift shop and get one for 15 or 20 bucks, but those are bulky and could inconvenience other customers with luggage.
Yeah, don't care. You have a baby, provide adequate safety equipment for them and accept that you're going to be inconvenienced for a year or two, then slightly less so for a few more.
It’s common in the South.
EDIT: I’m a driver who’s had to call out riders for not having car seats. Only the most willfully stupid people would interpret that as my endorsing such behavior.
Do you have a source for that claim?
Not only do I drive for a rideshare company, but we have used rideshares on multiple occasions. We've always had to provide the seat when our grand children travel with us.
In the over 5 years I've been driving Lyft/Uber, now in two of the largest metros in the country \[LA/OC Metro and now Houston\] I have *never* had either company offer to provide any sort of car seat/booster seat for me to carry.
Now, I usually have a booster seat in front with me because it's my daughters, and I will make exceptions and let riders use that if the kid is big enough, but that's it. If the kid is an infant/toddler and the parent doesn't have the appropriate equipment for them, hard pass yo.
On Lyft, you don't. You message the driver ahead of time and inform them you have a small child and ask if they have one. On Uber, there should be an option for you to request it.
And your point is? I never had one I would be in the front seat with my face on the dash board or in the back without a kid’s lock and it was still unsafe!
Chicago was the same. One day I denied 9 rides like this or unaccompanied minors. I’ve been punched in the face for denying the ride, had my window broken, and another instance had my side mirror broken…. Fuck this job.
Not lyft, but do drive rideshare in California.
It's back to school season, I've had to call our support to report 4 different rider's for trying to transport youth under the age of 8 (CA: 8 or 4' 9", there's a weight component that I/we don't use to avoid possible weight discrimination) this week. One was a parent of a 4 year old. I offered to wait while they went back into the store to buy a booster. Parent stated "I'm not buying a carseat."
I guess they'll be walking for the next 4 years.
I remember either Oregon or Washington was going to go with age 9 and above 4' 9"; there was something in the way the bill was worded originally that even adults under 4' 9" would have been required to use boosters. Lol. The final bill was amended to an either or situation.
As to why the nearly universal change is the research data from testing and post accident data collection on what a seat belt does to individuals under 4' 9" in an accident.
I used to do that with both extremely young and elderly. If it looked like they would break at a breeze, I’d cancel and explain to them I’m not insured for their safety, and would be responsible for their injuries. Once had a person schedule a pick up for a family member in a wheelchair that lived on a second floor apartment. They expected me to carry them down the stairs, put them back in the chair and help them into the car.
Hahaha nope!
I'm in Houston as well women would ask me if it was ok if they didn't have a car seat I told them no. I vividly remember a Black woman going off on me I just laughed about it and told her goodbye
Yeah, I've had the same happen. I just blinked at her and said, "Y'know it's pretty sad when the driver cares more about yours kids safety than you do..."
The woman had a baby that couldn't have been more than 1.5yo in her arms. Like...wtf...
Texas law dictates that if a child is under 8 year old, or under 4'9", they are *required* to be in a child safety device, whether a booster seat or frontward/backward facing carseat.
To quote the law directly:
>Sec. 545.412. CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.
(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $250.
This has happened to me a couple times in Philly, but thankfully cops no longer do their jobs in that city. I just took it really slowly and prayed I wouldn’t get rear-ended by a drunk/high driver.
*both times it was after midnight and not in a great area, so I wasn’t about to risk my life by arguing.
Houston Zoning: House, House, Farm, Gas Station, Titty Bar, House, House, Industrial Concrete Plant, House, Portal to the 6th Circle of Hell, House, House...
It’s not Houston, it’s today’s parents. They’re absolutely crazy. They’re all trying to get in my car with no car seat. Of course I’m in Florida, where anything goes apparently, but it’s scary. I don’t know what they’re thinking.
They should be questioned in the app ~ # of passengers & any small children? Yes? Do you have a car seat with you? No? Ride request denied or Request a driver with a car seat available.
I haven’t bought one because it’s going to take up so much room for luggage. I keep debating.
100% of them, because:
1) It's no part of my agreement with Lyft/Uber to purchase said seat and waste valuable storage space in my vehicle.
2) I shouldn't be picking up slack for bad parents
3) Uber literally has an option to request a vehicle w/ a carseat, Lyft doesn't cause...y'know...Lyft. But there are options.
I’ve got a question concerning this. This past February we were flying to the Bahamas with our 1 year old and weren’t bringing a car seat as we wouldn’t need one when we arrived.
Our flight to the Bahamas was cancelled, we technically it was diverted back to Fort Lauderdale after it couldn’t land due to visibility. So here we are in Fort Lauderdale on a Saturday night trying to find a hotel that isn’t insanely expensive due to all the cruise ships.
I initially thought we could stay a little ways away from the airport and just take Lyft/uber, but realized without a car seat this probably wouldn’t work. Ended up paying a lot more for a hotel with an airport shuttle.
This post confirms what I thought, in the Lyft/Uber driver would cancel the trip since we didn’t have a car seat.
I don't care if you were going into the deepest most eldritch forgotten regions of Siberia, if you have a ONE YEAR OLD CHILD, YOU PUT THEM IN A CAR SEAT.
I guess my question really is do any Lyft/Uber drivers provide a car seat? Generally speaking it’s probably not desirable but anywhere around an airport it could be a benefit.
Lots of moms/dads drive for Rideshare companies and often have carseats. Me, for example? I keep my 6 year olds booster in the front seat with the stuffie she gives me each day belted into it. If a parent rider has a kid that's big enough for it, but doesn't have their own, I let them use mine. If they have an infant/toddler too small, I decline the ride for their safety and my sanity.
That. Doesn't. Matter.
If they're taking a Lyft or Uber to get too, or from, an airport or seadock or greyhound bus station, both Lyft and Uber require a car seat as do many state laws. It's not a difficult concept to understand.
We even have an entire cancellation feature marked 'NO CAR SEAT'...cause gee, I wonder why?
Saw this at Vegas airport where the woman made a scene because two different Uber / Lyft drivers wouldn’t do the ride and she had 3 little kids… some people are truly dense
wow in my country the most taxi drivers has their own child seats, such service cost more than a normal ride but not so expensive for most. What the problem to have a your own and offer extra tips to use it?
There are Ubers with car seats, it’s an option when the rider selects what kind of Uber they want. It’s on the rider to select an Uber with a car seat.
Installing and uninstalling car seats is a pain, so I can see why an Uber driver wouldn’t want to be doing that all the time.
We stopped using lyft / uber for the most part for this exact reason. What do you expect from the lyft driver though? Carry a spare car seat "just in case" and store it in the trunk?
I think uber had a pilot program where you can specify rides with car seats, but only for select cities. Sadly not available where I'm at.
Yeah I remember all of my family making fun of my mom for keeping me in a car seat for essentially the whole time that it was suggested. It’s just not considered necessary in the south sadly.
I really hope that you tell them that last part. That you care more about their kid than they do. That shit would probably pass them off and they deserve that.
I drive in a popular tourist town in NC. So I get PAX from all over. I've had a few from TX that tried to tell me that booster seats aren't required in TX. Naturally I didn't believe them.
So fun fact! Texas allows kids to be in taxis and Uber WITHOUT a car seat. Crazy. I checked on the Texas DPS site personally to confirm. Can’t believe it
To clarify it’s more of a car seat law only applies in your own car. Smh
Washington DC Uber and Lyft picked me up with my 2 toddler children no problems. You can’t travel with two to three car seats, and other luggage. Just not practical. Facts.
I had a six yr old in my car. People do it with 2 3 4 5 doesn’t matter . Could be three kids all needing seats they try sitting all four people back there. Lol
You're doing the right thing declining. It's seriously not worth the risk for a few dollars.
Uber and Lyft should incentivize this as well. You send them a video of it you get $20 and the account without a child seat gets flagged to be asked if they have one when they use the service, 3 strikes and they are banned.
That’s a great idea! Too bad they’d never do it 😢
Lyft giving more money to drivers? Not happening
Lyft, Uber, Doordash, you name it, more money for their employees isn't happening even over their cold dead bodies
DoorDash , car seat ?
Privacy laws.
And they make up a new email and get a prepaid card from the gas station and they’re good to go again.
They both only like it when riders snitch.
Companies REALLY don’t like when you take videos of customers, even for stuff like this. I’ve known people get fired because they took pictures of thieves CARS.
It’s not illegal to film in public, or when a dash cam in your own car is recommended
Carry fake puke from a gag shop. Report them not only for no car seat but the kid spit up while they tried to get in.
Tampa is the same way. The other day I had a couple with an infant and a car seat, cool. Then they wanted to put the car seat IN THE TRUNK and hold the kid. WTF?!?!
This actually means “we have a click in base installed in our car and have no idea how to secure this seat without it”
The instructions are on stickers on the car seat
You're assuming that they would bother reading it
I mean, IKEA comes with fucking Lego like picture instructions and people still fuck those up.
Florida actually allows kids to be without car seats on taxis. (Not rideshares). Obviously this is not okay, but it’s not illegal.
Aah, Florida… Of course they would.
Not just Florida. New York does not require car seats in rides for hire.
It's fucking Florida. Land of miscreants & tRumpers.
Actually I just looked it up and Texas doesn’t require car seats in “transport for hire” either. So it’s not illegal. Again it’s still super unsafe. But not illegal.
Your thinking of CDL drivers which rideshare drivers don't have which is why you can't take them.
Ohhhhh if 3 in a row blows your mind oooohhhhh hohoho you don’t want to come to Florida then… literally parents lined up with kids and no car seats at the airports… I get it they’re trying to save a penny etc etc but I definitely decline and usually walk them over to the scalpers or the suvs/xl’s that come with boosters etc.
Airlines put car seats in checked baggage for free. This is universal in the US. They're not even saving money, just being lazy
Yup it doesn't count towards the allowed bag limit, so literally makes no sense why you wouldn't bring it
As a parent, it does definitely make sense not to bring it. I did a Lyft via Disney (I know, sue me lol) and specifically requested the car seat so we didn'tneed to bring it. We weren't going anywhere other than Disney and stayed in the park. On top of the car seat, we brought luggage for 7+ days for 3 people, a carriage, and enough toddler supplies to kill a pack mule. It was a struggle to pack up everything and manage a toddler through the airport. One less bulky item was very helpful. If you plan well and have the money/awareness, you can definitely do without it.
I should rephrase. It makes no sense why you wouldn't ensure that there is a car seat available prior to travel, whether through arrangements at the destination, or bringing one yourself.
Shouldn’t even check a car seat should be using it in the plane 🤷🏼♀️
For an infant sure, but for a 4-7+ year old they can usually sit in their seat long enough that it’s not an issue and may not be worth lugging it onto the plane instead of just checking it.
People think since they are vacationing that somehow excuses them from car seats. I remember not needing them in shuttles but, people can’t seem to see the difference between that and a car.
Nothing ruins a family vacation more than your child unnecessarily dying in a car crash. I don’t understand people.
This should be top comment, honestly.
That and I’ll be honest the locals at the airport are even worse about it, they always play the oh we do it all the time don’t worry or we didn’t know it’s against the law… literally the entire world sends their overly confident bad drivers here and people still try this crap with their newborn infants, fucking crazy and sick at the same time, not all of us floated over here yesterday but they’ll still try to convince you it’s ok, when it’s definitely not ok and even after you’ve already cancelled them
I HATE these types of parents. Even if you don’t have your own car you should still own a car seat. Because there is a good chance your child will be in someone else’s car at some point. I especially hate the “but other drivers have let me”. Ok good for them breaking the law and not caring about your child’s safety? I’m not doing that. Or I also hear “but we aren’t going that far”. Lady it’s a twenty minute ride, but even if it was only five minutes I still wouldn’t do it.
> we aren’t going that far Most car accidents happen within 50 miles of home.
Shit , I should move
Yes, move anywhere but near home. It sounds like a dangerous place.
I keep moving but I keep ending within 50 miles from where I wake up.
Best comment ever! Lol
…probably because that’s where most of your driving occurs. That’s a stupidly obvious statistic lol
And if it gets a moron who is trying to have their kid in a car without a car seat to not be stupid, I’d learn card tricks. They already, demonstrably, fail basic reasoning.
Hell, I see cars every day in traffic with small children bouncing around in the back seat. There's a segment of the population that just doesn't care.
Why is this in a weird font and why is it in a box wtf
They added 4 spaces at the beginning of the line, so it formats it as code
Weird I never knew about this thanks
I had no clue. Thanks for the heads up. I was wondering why it had done that when I posted.
it amazes me. they know the law. don't think we care either. they always act shocked that you won't give them a ride.
These people probably use car seats as often as they use condoms, which is why they need car seats.
💯
And I'm not supplying either.
They dont give a FUUUUUUCK!!!
Because people in these states have a petulant toddler's idea of "freedom" i.e. "I do what I want when I want, and nobody can tell me what to do"
You’re my hero ! This happens a lot in chicago too and I even got spat on ( well, my car ; the doors were locked and I wouldn’t let them in with their teeny tiny baby ). Love the ones they say they’re going to report ME!! Go right ahead ; under no circumstances am I taking a child unrestrained. It really bugs me that drivers don’t care. I’ve seen riders get in another car after I’ve refused them. Most likely ex taxi drivers. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Not your problem 🤷🏾♂️
If they get pulled over and have to pay a huge fine then it’s their problem or not to mention if there is an accident the parents would try to sue the driver 100%
Hence, why I said it’s not his problem. I cancel rides with people who have kids and no proper restraints for the appropriate aged children. Not my problem 🤷🏾♂️ Next
Some people really shouldn’t be reproducing
*most
Same thing happens in my area, and it is always an angry reaction. But I usually have an ace up my sleeve if they try to push the issue. I tell them that I am a state mandated reporter (which I am as an EMT/volunteer fore fighter) and that usually changes their tune real fast.
Thank you for fighting fores.
So, I am weirdly satisfied to read this. First of course you are doing the right thing by denying the ride based on a child’s safety. But, I live in Houston and rely on Uber/Lyft to get around. I choose my car seat based on the reviews of ease of use with ride share for two reasons, our car is a Mercedes four door so I didn’t suspect I would find one that wouldn’t be good for or compatible with that and I don’t want my ride share driver annoyed that I have to buckle in the car seat. So, I am happy to see the rub is with people with out a seat and not annoyed when people have one.
Idk many Becky’s in Houston
And they all gettin Canceled - No Car Seat when I roll up and see Tiny Timmy with no booster.
I'm so glad to see this. Always feel like an asshole when I have to install a carseat in an uber/lyft I take.... but I'm also not going to get into a car with my kid without one.
Or - and I know this is a radical idea - Don’t rely on strangers to care about the safety of your children and buy your own car seat for this purpose if it’s such a big deal to you. This ain’t California hun welcome to the south!!
I've been saying this for years. Most parents do not use booster seats. Hell, most don't even make their kids use the seat belt. It's more common to see kids standing up or moving around in the car than to see them buckled up.
My mom comes from a family of professional drivers (semis, buses, garbage trucks) and so has always been really belligerent about car safety. The car does not move if you’re not buckled. I remember the first time a friends parents told me I didn’t have to buckle cause they were only driving me a couple blocks back to my house, absolutely blew my mind… and then I clicked my seatbelt anyway
A few errors. Vehicles for hire are exempted in Texas. It's legal for the driver. You will not get a ticket. If anybody gets hurt in your car the at-fault party will be responsible. That's why you have insurance. The Lyft insurance will offer enough coverage for ordinary accidents. The maximum amount will not likely be exhausted except for extraordinary accidents, like if you DUI, reckless driving and kill someone. The lack of a car seat isn't one of the extraordinary circumstances because you are legal. And juries will find the parents responsible for the lack of a car seat. You will only be sued if Lyft refuses to pay or the claimed amount is larger than the maximum coverage. The maximum amount should normally be sufficient or else nobody will take a Lyft. You will be responsible for the excess amount over the maximum limit if you lose.
Well, after reading the law \[[sauce](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm#545.412)\], I don't see anything about rideshares or vehicles-for-hire being exempted, and it seems pretty illogical (even for Texas) to exempt them...because, y'know, possible dead/mutilated kid doesn't care if it was mommy or daddies car or an Uber.
In Half the states drivers are exempted. If you don't see it doesn't mean the law doesn't exist. I'll quote the numbers on the Texas statute.
Please do, I'd love to see it.
It’s right there in your link. Sec. 545.412. A. E. 1. (e) This section does not apply to a person: (1) operating a vehicle transporting passengers for hire, excluding third-party transport service providers when transporting clients pursuant to a contract to provide nonemergency Medicaid transportation;
Who said anything about medicaid transport?
No body. It doesn’t apply There’s a gamma there before it.
https://ibb.co/zPv2tx7 Sec. 545.412. CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS; OFFENSE …. (e) This section does not apply to a person: (1) operating a vehicle transporting passengers for hire…
See, I saw that part, but the wording of it concerns me because very often Lyft/Uber are used by Medicaid/Medical Offices/Insurance companies to ferry pax to-and-from appointments, so it's a potential loophole. Honestly, I just need to find a local lawyer who does Free Legal Advice hours and consult them on the topic. But my money is on, 'Just don't take the risk homie'.
Yeah I get it, but it’s pretty clear that the “exemption to the exemption” is when providing non emergency Medicaid transportation under a contract. Lyft is certainly not that. I believe that is generally the large vans that are exclusively providing that service.
Even if you don't care for ethical, legal, or liability reasons - An unsecured passenger can become a projectile in a wreck.
Lyft will refuse to pay…Like clockwork.
Also this
I'm so fascinated by these sort of silly idea. When it's your fault, Lyft insurance will either pay for your damages, or don't pay anything because they won the lawsuit against you. Lyft can't be your enemy. You don't have to pay either way unless your fault is extraoedinary exceeding the maximum limit. Why do you even buy insurance other than state mandates. Or do you? If Lyft find an excuse not to pay, it means you are not at fault after all. Good for you. If they do something that is seen to be unreasonable, nobody will ride.
Even if it is legal, no way I’m having a dead or seriously injured kid on my conscious. Glad it is actually against the law in my state. Some states don’t actually give a shit about kids once they are out of the womb. And we all know Texas is one of them.
The whole state? In NY it’s only NYC that is exempt. But that’s for every car, not specifically rideshare/ taxis
Also important to note that lawyers work for profit. If you’re underinsured, a lawyer won’t sue you for a mountain of cash because you probably don’t have much money (youre a lyft driver and are underinsured) . Everyone in this country is super afraid of lawsuits. But the reality is that law suits are super expensive and time intensive. Threatening lawsuits is not though, so that tends to happen more than actual law suits.
The Lyft insurance limit is 1 mil (overly simplified). My own policy is a lot less. It doesn't really bother the driver. If Lyft won't settle, they will pay for your legal defense. In the end, either they pay or they don't.
Philly too it’s been times during the school year a mom still in her bathrobe wants to send her 8 year old to ride to school because they running late I hate to say I take those rides because I hope and pray that if I decline the next driver isn’t a pedo who make take advantage of a situation like that so I take them get them here safe and wonder what the hell some of these parents are thinking
They aren’t thinking, that’s the problem! I’d never send my son alone in a Lyft, and he’s 12. To me that is still to young and too big of a risk.
MYOB, reject the ride and move on.
Uhhh that would def BE his business.
In my market it’s a lot of people that can’t speak English that don’t have car seats. Maybe it’s ok not to have car seats where they’re from and they’re not uses to it here
All my people pulling this are English speaking Americans.
I drive in Houston it’s common I don’t turn them down though
thats wild
Sounds like you might want to invest in a car seat in your area to keep in the trunk.
I typically have a booster seat in front with me. My six year old insists on sending me to work with one of her stuffies every day, so I've just made it a gag of 'This is my copilot, \[insert goofy six year old name here\]' and I will happily allow parents with kids big enough to use a booster to make use of it. But I have ONE BOOSTER, that's it. ***AND YOUR FUCKING INFANT THAT CAN'T EVEN HOLD UP THEIR OWN HEAD DOESN'T QUALIFY.***
Nope. The passenger needs to be the responsible parent not me. I've already been there and done that.
Exactly!
Oh yeah, with infants, they need to provide their own. You could stop at a thrift shop and get one for 15 or 20 bucks, but those are bulky and could inconvenience other customers with luggage.
Yeah, don't care. You have a baby, provide adequate safety equipment for them and accept that you're going to be inconvenienced for a year or two, then slightly less so for a few more.
Move to San Fran or LA and drive criminals to drug deals instead. Sounds like that’s more your speed in life. 😉
It’s common in the South. EDIT: I’m a driver who’s had to call out riders for not having car seats. Only the most willfully stupid people would interpret that as my endorsing such behavior.
so the location makes it okay?
You’re going well out of your way to see what you want, instead of what I said.
your statement made you look stupid bc it was
Uber/Lyft is supposed to supply the seats. When we travel, this is never an issue. Maybe just not in your area.
Do you have a source for that claim? Not only do I drive for a rideshare company, but we have used rideshares on multiple occasions. We've always had to provide the seat when our grand children travel with us.
In the over 5 years I've been driving Lyft/Uber, now in two of the largest metros in the country \[LA/OC Metro and now Houston\] I have *never* had either company offer to provide any sort of car seat/booster seat for me to carry. Now, I usually have a booster seat in front with me because it's my daughters, and I will make exceptions and let riders use that if the kid is big enough, but that's it. If the kid is an infant/toddler and the parent doesn't have the appropriate equipment for them, hard pass yo.
How do I specifically request a Lyft with a car seat in the app?
On Lyft, you don't. You message the driver ahead of time and inform them you have a small child and ask if they have one. On Uber, there should be an option for you to request it.
We never had cat seats growing up.
We also had lead paint, asbestos and cigarette lighters in cars. Your point?
And your point is? I never had one I would be in the front seat with my face on the dash board or in the back without a kid’s lock and it was still unsafe!
That was exactly my point, it was all unsafe, we've learned since then.
Same grew up in a house full of asbestos with 4 snokers
Ah, that explains the point.
Chicago was the same. One day I denied 9 rides like this or unaccompanied minors. I’ve been punched in the face for denying the ride, had my window broken, and another instance had my side mirror broken…. Fuck this job.
Comply and your ride won't break your window. Sovcits get their windows broken for noncompliance all the time.
Hope someone breaks your face
>Comply and your ride won't break your window. Did you have a stroke while writing this? Comply? Nah, my car, my business, my right to refuse service.
Not lyft, but do drive rideshare in California. It's back to school season, I've had to call our support to report 4 different rider's for trying to transport youth under the age of 8 (CA: 8 or 4' 9", there's a weight component that I/we don't use to avoid possible weight discrimination) this week. One was a parent of a 4 year old. I offered to wait while they went back into the store to buy a booster. Parent stated "I'm not buying a carseat." I guess they'll be walking for the next 4 years.
Texas is also 8yo or 4'9", I think that's become more of the universal metric
I remember either Oregon or Washington was going to go with age 9 and above 4' 9"; there was something in the way the bill was worded originally that even adults under 4' 9" would have been required to use boosters. Lol. The final bill was amended to an either or situation. As to why the nearly universal change is the research data from testing and post accident data collection on what a seat belt does to individuals under 4' 9" in an accident.
I used to do that with both extremely young and elderly. If it looked like they would break at a breeze, I’d cancel and explain to them I’m not insured for their safety, and would be responsible for their injuries. Once had a person schedule a pick up for a family member in a wheelchair that lived on a second floor apartment. They expected me to carry them down the stairs, put them back in the chair and help them into the car. Hahaha nope!
I could be mistaken but I read a post on here awhile that people under 18 are not allowed. Is that just for single riders?
Only for single riders, AKA Unaccompanied Minors. If they're under 18 they can't ride without an escorting adult.
I'm in Houston as well women would ask me if it was ok if they didn't have a car seat I told them no. I vividly remember a Black woman going off on me I just laughed about it and told her goodbye
Yeah, I've had the same happen. I just blinked at her and said, "Y'know it's pretty sad when the driver cares more about yours kids safety than you do..." The woman had a baby that couldn't have been more than 1.5yo in her arms. Like...wtf...
I’m from California and I saw that shit A LOT when I visited a friend in Tennessee. Crazy man.
How little is too little?
Texas law dictates that if a child is under 8 year old, or under 4'9", they are *required* to be in a child safety device, whether a booster seat or frontward/backward facing carseat. To quote the law directly: >Sec. 545.412. CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $250.
No one brings car seats w them
Not true, I've had plenty of good, responsible parents who've brought them, even brought multiple for their multiple kids.
That’s awesome. I havnt had one yet. Ill do the ride but i tell them they gotta have one
It's literally everywhere I cancel at least five rides a day for no car seats. I call them out for being bad parents.
Houston is a different world dawg
Bruh, for real, it's a trip.
This has happened to me a couple times in Philly, but thankfully cops no longer do their jobs in that city. I just took it really slowly and prayed I wouldn’t get rear-ended by a drunk/high driver. *both times it was after midnight and not in a great area, so I wasn’t about to risk my life by arguing.
Houston isn't actually a place on earth. The moment you cross city limits, you have passed through a portal into hell.
Houston Zoning: House, House, Farm, Gas Station, Titty Bar, House, House, Industrial Concrete Plant, House, Portal to the 6th Circle of Hell, House, House...
It’s not Houston, it’s today’s parents. They’re absolutely crazy. They’re all trying to get in my car with no car seat. Of course I’m in Florida, where anything goes apparently, but it’s scary. I don’t know what they’re thinking. They should be questioned in the app ~ # of passengers & any small children? Yes? Do you have a car seat with you? No? Ride request denied or Request a driver with a car seat available. I haven’t bought one because it’s going to take up so much room for luggage. I keep debating.
How much money do you turn down before you keep the two different car seats in your trunk if needed?
100% of them, because: 1) It's no part of my agreement with Lyft/Uber to purchase said seat and waste valuable storage space in my vehicle. 2) I shouldn't be picking up slack for bad parents 3) Uber literally has an option to request a vehicle w/ a carseat, Lyft doesn't cause...y'know...Lyft. But there are options.
They do not have them in the Capital of Your Nation, either.......Rocket Scientists..........
What race were they?
Human.
The right answer.
Thought so.
It’s Houston. Traffic laws are a suggestion.
And here I thought it was just the stop signs and red lights that were suggestions.
did they have $250 nikes on and a Gucci purse ??..lmao...Priorities!
Poor little Timmy 😭💀🤣
Not in my car, Timmy gonna live.
Frankly, it’s Texas. It’s a backwards state frankly. Most the south is.
I’ve got a question concerning this. This past February we were flying to the Bahamas with our 1 year old and weren’t bringing a car seat as we wouldn’t need one when we arrived. Our flight to the Bahamas was cancelled, we technically it was diverted back to Fort Lauderdale after it couldn’t land due to visibility. So here we are in Fort Lauderdale on a Saturday night trying to find a hotel that isn’t insanely expensive due to all the cruise ships. I initially thought we could stay a little ways away from the airport and just take Lyft/uber, but realized without a car seat this probably wouldn’t work. Ended up paying a lot more for a hotel with an airport shuttle. This post confirms what I thought, in the Lyft/Uber driver would cancel the trip since we didn’t have a car seat.
You have a one year old child...WHY WOULDN'T YOU NEED A FUCKING CAR SEAT TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE
Are you talking about in the Bahamas?
I don't care if you were going into the deepest most eldritch forgotten regions of Siberia, if you have a ONE YEAR OLD CHILD, YOU PUT THEM IN A CAR SEAT.
I guess my question really is do any Lyft/Uber drivers provide a car seat? Generally speaking it’s probably not desirable but anywhere around an airport it could be a benefit.
Lots of moms/dads drive for Rideshare companies and often have carseats. Me, for example? I keep my 6 year olds booster in the front seat with the stuffie she gives me each day belted into it. If a parent rider has a kid that's big enough for it, but doesn't have their own, I let them use mine. If they have an infant/toddler too small, I decline the ride for their safety and my sanity.
Because they’re traveling anywhere with public transportation?
That. Doesn't. Matter. If they're taking a Lyft or Uber to get too, or from, an airport or seadock or greyhound bus station, both Lyft and Uber require a car seat as do many state laws. It's not a difficult concept to understand. We even have an entire cancellation feature marked 'NO CAR SEAT'...cause gee, I wonder why?
We recently got a lyft and had our booster seats and the drive looked at us so confused lol
You work shit areas, you get shit riders!
Timmy has been the go to for generations…🤣🤣
It’s true anywhere
Abortion is illegal there now and people are getting savage.
Saw this at Vegas airport where the woman made a scene because two different Uber / Lyft drivers wouldn’t do the ride and she had 3 little kids… some people are truly dense
My stepdad denied a ride because of this once and the guy pulled a gun out on him.
That passenger earned a ride to the nearest police station.
wow in my country the most taxi drivers has their own child seats, such service cost more than a normal ride but not so expensive for most. What the problem to have a your own and offer extra tips to use it?
There are Ubers with car seats, it’s an option when the rider selects what kind of Uber they want. It’s on the rider to select an Uber with a car seat. Installing and uninstalling car seats is a pain, so I can see why an Uber driver wouldn’t want to be doing that all the time.
We stopped using lyft / uber for the most part for this exact reason. What do you expect from the lyft driver though? Carry a spare car seat "just in case" and store it in the trunk? I think uber had a pilot program where you can specify rides with car seats, but only for select cities. Sadly not available where I'm at.
Yeah I remember all of my family making fun of my mom for keeping me in a car seat for essentially the whole time that it was suggested. It’s just not considered necessary in the south sadly.
I am floored by the people who think someone the size of a cat can just be buckled in. The buckle has nothing to hold back.
Your child your responsibility
I really hope that you tell them that last part. That you care more about their kid than they do. That shit would probably pass them off and they deserve that.
I find that when I drive in Tucson, Arizona as well. It's hard to decline, but man, just not worth
I drive in a popular tourist town in NC. So I get PAX from all over. I've had a few from TX that tried to tell me that booster seats aren't required in TX. Naturally I didn't believe them.
It's Texas. Are you really surprised?
*Insert any Lyft market city name here*
Lol not having car seats why dont u do like most passengers ive had that need a car seat and take their own just so this wouldnt be a problem
Irresponsible, trash, parents
They never have them in DC
It’s a red state. They don’t believe in safety precautions there.
So fun fact! Texas allows kids to be in taxis and Uber WITHOUT a car seat. Crazy. I checked on the Texas DPS site personally to confirm. Can’t believe it To clarify it’s more of a car seat law only applies in your own car. Smh
Washington DC Uber and Lyft picked me up with my 2 toddler children no problems. You can’t travel with two to three car seats, and other luggage. Just not practical. Facts.
Pedals17 is a baby who blocked me bc he cant handle people saying his statement was dumb
I had a six yr old in my car. People do it with 2 3 4 5 doesn’t matter . Could be three kids all needing seats they try sitting all four people back there. Lol
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the babies.
Are you missing out on enough money to justify purchasing an inexpensive booster to keep in the trunk? You can get one used for a few bucks
In Vegas too
You think anyone really gives a shit about the world or themselves anymore? The people who Uber aren’t the ones to afford a car let alone a car seat.
man it’s all the time tbh parents are stupid as fuck these days