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Uber driver caught using Facebook behind the wheel while ferrying a terrified customer
A RECKLESS Uber driver was caught using Facebook on his mobile phone while ferrying a terrified customer.
Shocking video footage captured the brazen driver with one hand on the wheel and another dangerously browsing the web.
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Streams of oncoming traffic speed past the distracted driver’s car as he glares at the screen.
His concerned passenger was alerted to the potentially fatal antics when the car violently braked.
The 21-year-old customer, who does not want to be named, blasted: “I wasn’t sure why he stopped so suddenly so I looked at what he was doing.
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“I was shocked when I saw him scrolling through Facebook. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
“He could have easily have run someone over or had a horrible smash with me in the car.
“It was terrifying. My girlfriend was asleep at the time and I was so scared she’d wake up. She’d have had a panic attack if she knew what was happening.”
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The passenger was treating his girlfriend for a meal near Tower Bridge, London, when the driver picked them up at about 7pm on Thursday.
He claims the Uber worker, named on the passenger’s receipt as Ibrahim, was glued to his phone for around 30 minutes.
The lad said: “Uber have questions to answer.
“Their driver was meant to be responsible for our safety but instead he was browsing Facebook.
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“We were in the car quite a long time and the trip cost more than £20 – but he was on it nearly the whole time.
“I don’t think I’ll bother using Uber again. I’ll use a black cab or drive myself instead.”
It has been illegal to use a mobile phone while driving – even with a hands-free set - since 2003.
Motorists can be slapped with six penalty points and a £200 fine if caught.
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Tougher news laws using phones behind the wheel came into force earlier this year.
Road safety charity Brake blasted the footage as “selfish and idiotic”.
A spokesman said: “Driver distraction is a growing menace and it’s concerning that drivers don’t seem to be getting the message.
“Research shows using your phone behind the wheel makes you four times more likely to crash.
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“Brake welcomed the introduction of tougher penalties for drivers caught using their phones behind the wheel but this needs to be accompanied by investment in traffic policing.
“Officers need more resources, to remove these potentially deadly, distracted drivers from our roads.”
An Uber spokesman said: “This is totally unacceptable behaviour and we are urgently investigating.
“It is our policy to prevent licensed private hire drivers from using our app while we investigate serious incidents.”
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