Technology changes along with the world. Uber is an internet-based company that was one of the first to offer rideshare services. The company hires private car owners who sign a contract to work for the company and provide transportation services through an app.
Most of us have heard of the company by now. But did you know there is a service called Uber with Car Seat? What is that? How does it work? How can you make sure that your child is safe while using the service?
The article for today answers all of these questions and more. Onward!
What’s Uber with Car Seat?
Along with Uber Black, Uber XL, etc., Uber also has a service called “Uber with Car Seat.” It has one IMMI that looks forward. Go with one car seat per car for kids over 2 years old to keep them safe on the road.
The seats are for kids who:
between 22 and 48 pounds
between 31 and 52 inches tall
Once your child is too big for the IMMI Go seats, you can give them your travel booster seat. Also, why pay $10 every time you order an Uber with car seats when you can buy your own to use every day?
Also, you must have a rear-facing baby seat for children younger than 15 months. You should put this seat in the backseat if the passenger seat has an airbag.
How to Request an Uber With a Car Seat for Your Child
If you need an Uber with a car seat, you don’t have to worry because it’s just like ordering one for yourself!
Before you can install and use the Uber app, you’ll need a phone and a way to connect to the internet.
After installing the app, open it and choose where you want to be picked up and dropped off.
Next, go through the list of vehicles and choose the subcategory “Car Seat.”
Then, a $10 surcharge will be added to the rest of your bill.
But it’s important to know if your child is eligible before you send in your request. Uber says the following:
Uber gives you one car seat that faces forward for a child who is at least 2 years old, 31 inches tall, or 22 pounds. The company also says that children who are taller or heavier than 52 inches or 48 pounds are too big for the Uber Car Seat service and shouldn’t use it.
Where Can I request Uber Car Seat Service?
As of today, you can only use the Uber Car Seat service in New York City.
But when it first came out, people in Orlando, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia were able to use it.
Is Uber Safe for Our Kids?
Even though rideshare services are convenient, every parent worries about the safety of their children, especially as we get busier running errands all over the country.
We’ve turned to technology, like the internet service Uber, to help ease some of this stress. You can order one to take your child to or from daycare, a playground, or even your parents’ house.
But how safe are they? How safe are they, if so?
Well, I can’t say for sure that Uber is the safest ridesharing service, but they do put the safety of their customers first. With the addition of Uber Car Seats, the company is also trying to get kids as customers.
As a parent, you should keep in mind that Uber drivers are strangers you shouldn’t leave your kids with if you’re not there.
Here are some rules that Uber made so that its partners and customers would know where they stand.
In most cities, you have to be at least 18 to have an Uber account and call for a ride.
During a ride, anyone younger than 18 years old must be with someone who is 18 years or older.
When they are in areas where it is against the law for minors to request Uber rides, driver-partners should turn down a ride request from a minor.
If a driver-partner thinks that a client is underage and isn’t with an adult, they can ask the client for an ID card or driver’s licence.
As a driver-partner, you should not start a trip or let a rider on if they are all underage.
Even though the company has a policy about kids, most parents, kids, and driver-partners take advantage of the grey areas. These days, it’s common to see a minor in an Uber, and law enforcement officers can’t agree on whether or not this breaks state or federal laws.
For example, a child can take an adult’s phone and use it to call Uber. When the driver gets there, he or she can’t tell if the kid is a minor or not, so they don’t ask for ID.
Kids can also sign up for Uber on their own or have a parent do it for them. We can see how useful they are in all of the above situations, but they are breaking Uber’s rules about kids.
Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Child Ride an Uber Alone
In addition to reviews from riders, Uber does annual checks to see if a driver is still a good fit for the job. The company does a thorough safety check on all potential drivers to see if they have any driving violations, violent crimes, or other problems with the law.
The company also uses technology to find drivers who have legal or social problems and work with them to figure out if they are eligible.
But no matter how hard Uber tries, you shouldn’t let kids ride without an adult. Leaving your kids to ride alone is like giving your kids to any random person you meet on the street.
Also, things will get more complicated if your child’s Uber is in a problem like a car accident.
The driver won’t be in a position to make crucial, critical care decisions for your kid.
Second, they are not required to call the child’s parents or guardian in this situation.
Third, if another driver causes a car accident, the driver is not legally responsible for your child’s safety.
So, it’s important that you go with your child on an Uber ride. In case of an accident, a parent can get in trouble with the law.
Also, it’s scary how many parents in states like New Jersey use Uber to pick up their kids from school. The New Jersey School Board Association (NJSBA) tries to stop Uber pick-ups and drop-offs because they put schools in difficult situations.
How are they supposed to take care of students and make sure they are safe when a parent sends a stranger to pick up their child?
At the moment, the New Jersey Policy on Student Safety leaves it up to the schools to keep an eye on students when they get out of school, tell parents how to pick up their kids, and handle parent requests.
So, if a parent or guardian agrees to their child leaving daycare or school, they are responsible for their safety.
Are Uber Drivers Instructed on How to Install the Car Seat Correctly?
Uber drivers get training from Safe Kids Worldwide (SKW) on how to install car seats for children in a safe and correct way. So, when an Uber comes to pick up your child, you don’t have to worry.
As a business, Uber cares about its customers and will always put your needs and those of your child before its own.
Some parents have IMMI Go seats, and it’s up to the driver to decide if they’re still in good enough shape to use in their cars. If they think it can’t be used or isn’t strong enough to protect the child, they can refuse it and offer an alternative.
Also, drivers in New York City have to meet with a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician who is certified by Safe Kids Worldwide to show that:
They can put an IMMI in. Go sit down safely and well.
They know what a child needs to have in order to use a car seat.
They know how to make sure a child is safe and secure in the seat.
Final Remarks On Ubering With A Car Seat
We like online services more now that technology is getting better and we can easily get to a good internet connection.
As an online app-based service, Uber is a lifesaver when your car is in the shop, you don’t have one, or you are too busy to drive around. It’s very safe and popular with adults!
But that doesn’t mean kids can go there. Uber drivers aren’t babysitters, so if something goes wrong, they won’t be responsible. Also, leaving your child alone with a stranger is not a good idea because you don’t know what could happen.
So, to be safe, your child should always travel with an adult they know when using Uber with a car seat.
