We’ve always been told to keep both eyes on the road and both hands off our hands whenever we drive. However, there are some who disregard this and endanger the lives of others.
A Grab driver in Singapore was kicked off the platform after a passenger filmed him texting while driving before filing a complaint with the e-hailing company.
SG Grab driver texts while driving, shocks passenger
The driver’s actions were caught on tape by a customer named Tomas Laslo, who shared the clip to the Facebook group Complaint Singapore last Thursday (Dec 5).
In the 16-second clip, the driver is seen taking quick glances at his phone and typing with one hand while maneuvering the steering wheel with the hand.
At one point of the clip, he even removed both hands from the steering wheel to quickly type out a text on his phone.
Needless to say, the driver’s reckless disregard for his and Tomas’ safety shocked the latter, who wrote in the caption: ‘Irresponsible grab driver, continuously texting with both hands!’
Continued texting for 15 mins
Speaking to MS News, Tomas said the incident took place on Nov 21 at around 3.16pm during his GrabCar Premium ride from Tanjong Rhu to Novena.
He added the video he shared was a shortened version of the incident, saying that the ride lasted for 15 minutes and the driver was seen texting more than 10 times.
I only started filming when I saw the driver texting repeatedly. He seemed to [be using] WhatsApp or a similar app. I was not really looking as I was paying more attention to the road — considering how much of a danger I was in.
“When I told him not to use his phone, his response was to grin and ignore (my comment). However, he had three other phones mounted inside the car so he didn’t fully process my comment as he was probably too pre-occupied,” he said.
Suspended by Grab
Tomas told MS News that when filed a complaint with Grab, he received a “generic” reply and claimed that he got the exact same response when expressed dissatisfaction with the first reply.
When asked about the matter, a Grab spokesman said the driver was suspended as he had violated the company’s code of conduct.
The spokesperson also added that they have reached out to Tomas to apologise and refunded him for the ride.
“We’d like to remind drivers that using a mobile phone while driving, including texting or holding the device, 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 on our platform.”
Watch the clip here:
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