Parents allowing children to ride in Uber vehicles unaccompanied despite a ban on under 18s travelli

Criticism has been aimed at a number of parents after it was revealed that they are letting their children travel in Uber vehicles unaccompanied.

Under Uber's terms and conditions, anybody under the age of 18 is prohibited from riding in an Uber vehicle without an adult present.

Although parents are fully aware of this particular requirement, some are routinely ignoring the terms and conditions, putting pressure on Uber's drivers.

According to the Mail Online, parents are now being warned to stop allowing children to use their accounts.

Although Uber state within their policy that drivers will not be penalised for refusing to pick up an unaccompanied minors, drivers fear that they will be punished for a ride cancellation.

There has been growing concern regarding the situation since the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl from Florida who travelled alone in an Uber to a car park before killing herself. 

A Transport for London spokesperson explained that as part of the driver licensing process all drivers have to undergo an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service check, which would allow them to transport unaccompanied children.  

Although Uber state that since minors cannot enter into a contract they should not be let into the cars without an accompanying adult, ID is not asked for when setting up an Uber account, so an account could in theory be set up by somebody under 18.

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