Do I want to be a driver who packs heat? Do I want to drive around with a loaded gun in my car? I had never considered this question in the past.
However, a company in Atlanta now allows passengers to select a driver armed with a life-threatening weapon.
Do I want to be one of those drivers? If so, how would that feel? If not, why not?
I carry a sharp knife and pepper gel, why not simply carry a more effective weapon?
This article will address the issue of how drivers protect themselves. How far should we go?
Background
I have only felt threatened once during my seven years and nearly 30,000 trips.
I actually thought I had a terrorist in my car and a bomb in my trunk. I was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge and thought this could be my last ride, I had let my imagination get the best of me, and nothing happened.
I have never felt a passenger in my car would lay hands on me, strike me, or cause me injury, but what if I drove in dangerous areas? What if I was a small woman?
Then the question of self-protection takes on greater meaning.
Drivers Getting Attacked
According to Gig Workers Rising, a driver advocacy group, over 50 drivers have been killed since 2017.
Here is a story I read recently:
In June 2022, Uber issued their most recent report on driver and passenger violence:
“As our report shows, Uber received 3,824 reports, the five most severe categories of sexual assault and misconduct. Compared to the first Safety Report, which covered 2017 and 2018, the rate of sexual assault reported on the Uber app decreased by 38%.”
Let’s put this into perspective.
Uber completed 7.6 Billion trips in 2022, which is less than a percent of a percent of a percent. The odds of violence in your car are very low. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but the odds are in our favor.
Black Wolf Execs: A Rideshare Company With A Gun
Black Wolf, a new rideshare company in Atlanta, has just completed their first month and has had their app downloaded 90,000 times.
The owner, Mr. Kingbrown, a professional bodyguard, has worked for years for celebrities and politicians.
According to WSBRadio.com in an interview with Mr. Kingbrown, he said:
“Our drivers are military, law enforcement, those who have been in the private security world for over five years. That’s the minimum we require. They can see a situation brewing before it happens.”
He says all of the drivers are trained in de-escalation techniques. So far, Mr. Kingbrown says they have not had any incidents where a driver had to pull out a weapon. The demand for his new rideshare service was far greater than he anticipated.
How Much Does a Ride with Black Wolf Cost?
The cost for a Black Wolf ride is 50% higher than an Uber X. Would you pay 50% more for a driver trained in self-defense techniques and carrying a gun?
It will be interesting to see where Black Wolf is in a year. If it is popular, I believe Uber will begin to offer a similar option.
Do I Want To Carry A Gun?
No, I don’t. I own a gun, I know how to shoot it, and it sits in a box deep in my garage.
It’s not for self-protection, I like to go to the shooting range and practice. To me, it’s fun, it’s loud, and it’s a good outlet.
When a passenger gets into my car, I trust they are going to treat me with respect, and they expect the same from me.
Given that the odds of an attack are so small, I don’t want a loaded gun in my car.
I don’t even use a dash cam, however, I am a 6-foot-4-inch male.
What if I were of smaller stature? I am sure I would feel differently. I insist that my daughter carry around pepper gel. I have trained her to handle herself if she finds herself in a dangerous situation.
But I don’t want her carrying around a gun.
Is There A Solution To Violence?
I don’t think there is a solution. In America specifically, we are obsessed with guns, and nothing will change the situation.
It seems we have mass shootings now all too frequently. It is so common no one even seems to notice any longer.
Violence makes the news. However, the odds of you and I experiencing physical violence of any kind are very low.
We live with it, we put trust and faith in our government officials to do something about it, and, let’s be honest, no one expects anything to change.
What Can A Driver Do?
I trust my passengers are cool, and I believe they are non-violent. They are ready for a smooth ride with some gentle jazz vibes.
I will carry my knife and pepper gel, they are in my center console should something horrible happen. But I don’t expect anything to happen.
That is my mindset, what is your mindset?
If you need more protection, a dashcam that broadcasts live to the cloud is your best defense. It’s even better than a gun.
We recommend DisplayRide as the best cloud-based dash cam, but you can see our complete list of all the best dash cams for Uber & Lyft drivers for more options.
The other thing a driver can do is be selective about your pick-ups. Just the other weekend, at 4 AM, I came to my pick-up point.
There were 6 guys in a parking lot with beer bottles on the ground. In one second, I said, “Forget this!” I drove away.
If a passenger looks dangerous, drunk, or aggressive, drive away, get out of there, and protect yourself. You don’t have to accept every ride that Uber or Lyft offers to you.
Key Takeaways
In the writing of this article, I had to ask myself, what kind of world do I want to live in?
I don’t want to live in a world where every rideshare vehicle is a tank and every driver carries a gun. Perhaps I am naïve, but I don’t care. I chose to live in a world where we can all get along, at least in the same country.
While I know that some drivers have been attacked and killed, I will keep that information in the back of my mind and not allow it to ruin my driving experience.
On Saturday, I will get up early, take my cold shower, brew my hot coffee, fill up with gas, play some Miles Davis music, and pick up my first passenger with a smile on my face.
Let’s connect rather than fight. That is my world by choice. We are all free to choose what kind of world we want to live in. My world does not include a gun in my car.
Be safe out there.
