Doordash on Saturday suspended delivery operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, implementing a severe weather protocol as a winter storm blanketed the region with a mix of ice, sleet and light snow.
“Due to hazardous conditions and icy roads brought by this unprecedented winter storm, we’ve activated our Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspended operations in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas,” said DoorDash spokesperson Jenn Rosenberg.
“We encourage everyone in affected areas to follow local guidance and take necessary precautions, and we will resume operations as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
The food delivery app said it would “closely monitor the conditions on the ground” and instructions from officials before returning to business as usual.
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The move comes as experts suggested D-FW residents hunker down as the weather worsens, keeping travel to a minimum. While rideshares may be on the road during the winter storm this weekend, don’t use them unless you absolutely have to, says attorney Shane Mullen.
“I don’t personally think it’s a great idea to put trust in a stranger to drive on ice when you don’t know anything about them whatsoever,” he said. His firm Mullen & Mullen frequently litigates car- and rideshare-related lawsuits.
Beginning on Friday, temperatures across the region are expected to drop below freezing while ice and snow blanket the area. The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office has issued a winter storm warning and an extreme cold warning, and Gov. Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources in preparation as the state stands on high alert.
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This could create dangerous road conditions. In 2023, there were an estimated 101,390 police reported traffic crashes that occurred with snow/sleet conditions at the time of the crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An estimated 22,293 of those snow/sleet crashes caused injuries and 320 were fatal.
In inclement weather, Uber and Lyft generally let drivers exercise their own judgment about whether they can safely take rides. Here are some things to know before calling a ride this weekend:
Rideshare drivers for both services are subject to background checks and their vehicles are subject to safety standards, but there are no explicit requirements for experience driving in winter conditions or chains/snow tires.
The rideshare services don’t directly address safety protocols or requirements during inclement weather in terms of service or guidelines, either.
Uber’s community guidelines state, “For public emergencies, Uber may take additional measures to try to preserve the safety of our platform, including but not limited to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and public crisis situations.”
In Lyft’s terms of service, drivers must agree to, “not engage in reckless behavior while driving or otherwise providing Rideshare Services, operate a vehicle that is unsafe to drive, drive or operate a vehicle in an unsafe manner.”
Both services carry $1 million third-party auto liability coverage, which covers property damage and injuries to riders and third parties in accidents where the rideshare driver is at fault.
Mullen said that during inclement weather, people can be concerned about their vehicle and their own ability to drive in ice and snow, so they call a rideshare. But many rideshare drivers don’t have experience with ice and snow, yet see the storm as an opportunity for picking up higher-paying rides while other drivers stay home.
“I choose not to work due to the inclement weather,” local rideshare driver Vahram Demirozu said in a message edited for clarity. “The people driving in D-FW are terrible.”
“In D-FW they don’t do anything [to the roads] and they just treat the roads with saltwater solution, which is not enough. They need the salt and plows, but they don’t have anything like that,” he continued.
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Rideshare drivers in public forums generally agree that it’s not rude to hail a driver in bad weather — if they accept your ride, they’re willing to work — but that doesn’t mean you should, even if your driver is a Minnesotan with four-wheel drive.
“Frankly, people from North Texas aren’t used to driving on ice either. And that’s why it’s ultra dangerous to get out there on the roads,” Mullen said. “You don’t want to be out there as a passenger, being driven around by someone who’s used to being in icy conditions … because guess what? Everyone around y’all, they’re not used to it and you got to worry about them too.”
Uber and Lyft did not provide comment.
Food delivery
Food delivery drivers also generally drive during inclement weather at their discretion, but service can be suspended if necessary.
DoorDash said it is actively monitoring conditions in areas of the country affected by the upcoming winter storm and encourages everyone in the affected areas to follow guidance from local authorities and take precautions to prioritize their safety.
“We always want to strike the best possible balance in a given market for customers, merchants, and Dashers – all while helping Dashers stay safe on the road,“ the company said in a statement.
Dashers in a Reddit thread echoed rideshare drivers in that it’s not rude to order in bad weather, but recommended some steps to be a more courteous customer: clear the path to your door and tip extra.
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