Uber was founded in 2009 and has taken over the transportation world by storm, especially in Gainesville and college towns around the world. Claiming to be the “easiest way around,” Uber offers a taxi like service through the use of their cell phone application.
With the simple touch of a button, you can track your driver as he/she goes to your location for pickup, and then track your ride to the final destination on the map. Payment is all done over the application with the cost being provided up front even before selecting the ride. According to their website, “[f]rom start to finish, a ride you can trust. Your safety is important to us before, during, and after every trip. That’s why we continue to develop technology that helps make millions of rides safer every day.” https://www.uber.com/ride/
But is it really the safest option? On the evening of June 14, 2017, a young lady in downtown Gainesville used the Uber App to get a ride home. As she clicked the button, she was assigned to 66-year-old Edwin Ricci as her driver.
When her ride arrived, she got in the car and began to track her route through the app. She quickly noticed Ricci was going the wrong way and headed down a dead-end road. When she asked where he was going, he advised, “We are just going for a little ride.”
Luckily for the lady, she was on FaceTime Video chat with a friend during the ride and advised her friend what was happening. When the car stopped, the lady was able to jump out and run away, but not before she was battered.
Edwin Ricci was subsequently arrested by the Gainesville Police Department on June 27, 2017 and faces one count of simple battery.
While these incidents are likely very rare, they do happen. Uber is a great and affordable option to prevent a DUI charge. But while Uber seems safe after a night of drinking, responsibility is key. Know your surroundings. If something doesn’t seem right, get out.
If however, you choose to drive and have the unfortunate circumstance of being arrested for a DUI, please contact the Law Firm of Michael P. Maddux to assist you in navigating through both the criminal court system and the DMV.