New York Woman Says Her Uber Driver Stopped at a Car Wash Mid-Ride, Leaving Her Late for Work
NEW YORK — A New York woman’s ordinary Uber ride took an unexpected turn when her driver allegedly made a personal stop at a car wash mid-trip, leaving her stunned and running late for work. The incident, which the passenger documented in a viral TikTok video, has since reignited conversation about rideshare safety and driver professionalism.
Content creator Alex Eden (@therealalexeden) posted the video from inside the car as soap and brushes covered the windows. “When was my Uber driver gonna tell me we were stopping at the car wash,” she wrote in a text overlay, while adding in the caption: “Ummm like I’m bouta be late for work.”
The short clip, which has now surpassed 294,000 views, shows the vehicle moving through an automatic car wash while the driver remains calm and seemingly unbothered.
Passenger Caught Off Guard as Car Enters Automatic Wash
Eden’s TikTok shows her reaction as the car is surrounded by soap and spinning brushes. She pans the camera to her driver, who appears relaxed behind the wheel, unfazed by the stop.
The video does not show whether Eden confronted the driver during the detour or how much time it added to her commute. However, viewers were quick to point out how unprofessional the situation appeared.
Commenters on the video ranged from amused to alarmed. “He gave you a free car wash experience — a win is a win,” one joked, while another warned, “That’s kind of scary. If my male driver did this unannounced, I would freak out.”
Another long-time rideshare driver chimed in: “I’ve been driving for 10 years. There’s absolutely no reason a driver should be stopping for anything unless it’s a mechanical issue.”
Uber’s Rules Forbid Personal Stops During Active Trips
According to Uber’s official help center, drivers are not allowed to make unplanned or personal stops while a trip is active. The company’s policy emphasizes that every ride should be direct, transparent, and solely focused on passenger transport.
Legal experts say that stopping mid-ride for personal errands is not just unprofessional — it’s a breach of Uber’s Driver Agreement.
West Coast Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers explain that drivers making personal detours violate the terms of service they agree to when signing up for the platform. This type of conduct can lead to driver deactivation and possible removal from the app.
Riders, they note, are entitled to a safe, uninterrupted trip with a clear route and expected arrival time. Any deviation from that agreement can be reported through Uber’s in-app support feature.
@therealalexeden Ummm like I’m bouta be late for work #fyp #nyc #NY #fypシ゚viral
What Passengers Should Do in Similar Situations
Experts recommend that passengers remain calm and document the situation if they ever encounter a similar issue. Steps include:
- Recording the time, location, and details of the stop.
- Politely expressing discomfort and asking the driver to resume the route.
- Exiting safely if the stop feels suspicious or unsafe.
- Taking screenshots of the route or receipts for later reporting.
- Reporting the incident to Uber immediately through the app.
These actions not only protect passengers but also help the company identify and address safety or policy violations quickly.
Social Media Sparks Humor — and Debate — Over the Ride
The viral clip has drawn thousands of reactions, blending humor with concern. Some users joked about getting a “bonus service” while others stressed that Uber needs stricter monitoring of drivers who multitask during rides.
“Next time he’ll probably ask you to help vacuum,” one viewer quipped. But others saw the humor fade quickly once they considered safety implications, noting that “even harmless detours” can make riders — particularly women traveling alone — feel uneasy.
Uber has not issued a public response to the viral post. BroBible, which first reported the story, reached out to both Eden and Uber for comment.
As the holiday season increases rideshare use across major cities, experts say this incident is a reminder for passengers to stay alert, review trip routes in real time, and report any unexpected stops immediately.
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