Startling Incident Leads to Driver Suspension

In a startling incident that raises serious concerns over road safety, a Grab driver has been suspended after a passenger captured a video showing the driver more focused on his mobile phone than the road.

Passenger's Outrage and Response

The passenger, identified as Mr. Thomas, shared his experience on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on December 5. In the video, recorded from the back seat, the driver's alarming behavior is evident: he can be seen gripping the steering wheel with his right hand while frequently using his phone with both hands.

Mr. Thomas expressed his outrage, stating, "Irresponsible Grab driver, continuously texting with both hands! And this is just a short part of what I was able to record." This irresponsible behavior prompted him to take action by reporting it to Grab, hoping for a swift resolution.

Grab's Response

However, Mr. Thomas was disappointed by Grab's response, describing it as merely “a copy-paste generic pacifying letter” that showed little genuine concern for his safety. Frustrated, he noted that his subsequent attempts to communicate the severity of the situation were met with the same lackluster reply, leading him to conclude, “Grab doesn’t care.”

The Dangerous Behavior

During the fateful ride from Tanjong Rhu to Novena, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, Mr. Thomas estimated that the driver sent as many as 10 text messages. Concerned for his own safety, he proactively recorded the driver's conduct, realizing the potential danger posed by such distractions.

When Mr. Thomas finally confronted the driver to ask him to stop using his phone, he was met with a dismissive grin, accentuating a disturbing lack of seriousness about the gravity of his actions.

Grab's Apology and Commitment to Safety

In response to the incident, Grab Singapore issued an apology to the passenger and confirmed the suspension of the driver. A spokesperson for the company emphasized their commitment to safety, stating, "We remind our driver-partners that even just holding a phone, let alone using it for sending messages, is strictly prohibited under the Road Traffic Act in Singapore. Driver-partners found to have violated our code of conduct or traffic laws may be permanently banned from our platform."

Importance of Road Safety

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of road safety and the responsibility that rideshare drivers have to their passengers. It also highlights the growing concerns regarding mobile phone usage while driving, not just within the ridesharing industry, but for all motorists.

As safety advocates continue to push for stricter regulations, passengers are encouraged to speak up against negligence to ensure safer roads for everyone.