Partying teenagers are breaking the law and risking their lives by hitching free rides in the boots of full Uber cars to save them from ordering a second lift.
A Melbourne mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she spotted a group of teen girls hiding their friend in the boot of an Uber car as a party came to a close.
‘The Uber driver was totally unaware (the girl) was hopping in the boot,’ she told the Leader.
‘I asked my daughter about it and she said “she’s getting in the boot because it saves them getting a second Uber”.’
Partying teenagers are breaking the law and risking their lives by hitching free rides in the boots of full Uber cars (pictured)
Teenagers are duping Uber drivers into opening the boot of their car by pretending they want to store their bags there (stock image of boys in stationary car)
It’s understood teenagers are duping Uber drivers into opening the boot of their car by pretending they want to store their bags there – only to hide their friends instead.
The dangerous stunt, dubbed ‘boot loading’, has been slammed by authorities.
‘It’s certainly concerning if people are putting their lives at risk or risking serious injury by riding in the boot,’ Port Phillip Inspector Jason Kelly told the Leader.
In addition to the obvious safety hazards presented by riding with no seatbelt or airbags, drivers and passengers guilty of ‘boot loading’ could face serious fines.
In Victoria, a driver found with an ‘unrestrained passenger’ in their car can lose three demerit points and be hit with a $317 fine.
The offending passenger faces the same $317 fine for the act.
Other states enforce similar penalties, with fines ranging from $200 to over $500 in Western Australia.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Uber said there had been no ‘substantial reports’ about boot loading.
‘We strongly condemn this behaviour and will take action if we are made aware of riders who engage in it,’ the spokesperson said.
An Uber spokesperson said there had been no ‘substantial reports’ about the dangerous stunt
‘We strongly condemn this behaviour and will take action if we are made aware of riders who engage in it,’ the spokesperson said