# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2014, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942 "2014-10-10T07:35:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 70
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1381 "2015-04-02T17:19:28Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Was he licensed by the city to operate a livery cab? If not, then he was operating an unlicensed taxi. He wasn’t operating any form of taxi. For someone so bothered by people obeying regulations to the letter, you have an odd blind spot here. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1382 "2015-04-02T17:20:53Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > He wasn’t operating any form of taxi. So you’re saying he _wasn’t_ an Uber driver? That’s an interesting twist I haven’t read in any of the articles on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1383 "2015-04-02T17:22:13Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So you’re saying he _wasn’t_ an Uber driver? That’s an interesting twist I haven’t read in any of the articles on the subject. Uber drivers don’t generally operate taxis. I guess there’s no reason one couldn’t do both, but there’s nothing in the story about a taxi. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1384 "2015-04-02T17:23:18Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Irrelevant, since that’s not what he was doing. Please try to keep up with the class. I think there are strong arguments to be made that Uber skirts or outright flouts state and city laws related to for-profit transportation. I also think that they should probably be subjected to the same sorts of rules as taxis and livery cars. I also think that cities should relax many of the limitations on taxis and livery cars to allow for more market competition, which would include companies like Uber. But none of that is relevant to this cop’s behavior. Does anyone really think that he knew the car was an Uber car when he first went off on it? Does anyone think that he would have acted any differently if it had been a regular passenger car? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1385 "2015-04-02T17:24:48Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Uber drivers don’t generally operate taxis. I guess there’s no reason one couldn’t do both, but there’s nothing in the story about a taxi. An Uber driver is a person who drives a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way and transports persons not known to him in exchange for a fare based on the distance traveled. That’s operating a taxi no matter how they dance around the terminology. (Fun fact: The company was called “UberCab” until San Francisco sued them for running unlicensed taxis.) ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1386 "2015-04-02T17:34:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > An Uber driver is a person who drives a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way and transports persons not known to him in exchange for a fare based on the distance traveled. That’s operating a taxi no matter how they dance around the terminology. (Fun fact: The company was called “UberCab” until San Francisco sued them for running unlicensed taxis.) And that, my friends is a textbook example of highjacking and redirecting the conversation away from the subject at hand. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1387 "2015-04-02T17:35:38Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > And that, my friends is a textbook example of highjacking and redirecting the conversation away from the subject at hand. I was specifically asked for my opinion and I provided it. A statement I made was disputed and I responded to that. Who’s hijacking what? In any event, I agree that the cop was in the wrong here. ---
**Author:** ![get\_lives](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@get\_lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/get_lives)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1388 "2015-04-02T19:31:18Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I was specifically asked for my opinion and I provided it. A statement I made was disputed and I responded to that. Who’s hijacking what? > > In any event, I agree that the cop was in the wrong here. Get…help. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1389 "2015-04-02T19:40:41Z")
> [@get\_lives](#): > > Get…help. “Yes, doctor, it’s a serious problem. I have this compulsion to answer people who ask me questions.” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1390 "2015-04-02T19:44:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > “Yes, doctor, it’s a serious problem. I have this compulsion to answer people who ask me questions.” “Uber driver = taxi driver” is not an established legal fact. You might believe this is so, but that doesn’t mean that it is definitely true according to the law. And it might be so according to the law in some places, while the law is different in other localities. The law does not = **Smapti** ’s feelings and interpretations. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1391 "2015-04-02T19:46:16Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > An Uber driver is a person who drives a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way and transports persons not known to him in exchange for a fare based on the distance traveled. That’s operating a taxi no matter how they dance around the terminology. (Fun fact: The company was called “UberCab” until San Francisco sued them for running unlicensed taxis.) I hope you all will excuse my participation in the hijack, but IIRC NYC is weird in that taxis only take street hails, which Uber does not allow. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1392 "2015-04-02T19:53:00Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > “Uber driver = taxi driver” is not an established legal fact. It’s not a matter of law. It’s a matter of **the meanings of words in the English language** ; [QUOTE=Merriam Webster] TAXICAB: an automobile that carries passengers for a fare usually determined by the distance traveled [/QUOTE] Is an Uber car an automobile? Check. Does it carry passengers? Check. Do these passengers pay a fare? Check. Is that fare determined by the distance travelled? Check. An Uber car, therefore, meets all of the dictionary’s prerequisites to be called a “taxi”. > [@](#): > > CABDRIVER: a person who drives a taxi Is an Uber driver a person? Check. Does that person drive a taxi? By the above definition, check. Therefore, an Uber driver meets all of the dictionary’s prerequisites to be called a cabdriver. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1393 "2015-04-02T20:02:56Z")
…Upon further reading, I have discovered that, [in New York](http://www.driveubernyc.com/tlc-overview/), Uber requires all its drivers (UberX included, which this man operates with) to be licensed as livery drivers, and their vehicles to meet city standards for livery cars. As such, my statement that he was driving an unlicensed taxi is incorrect, as he is, in fact, a licensed taxi driver operating in accordance with New York law. I apologize for the error. ---
**Author:** ![get\_lives](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@get\_lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/get_lives)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1394 "2015-04-02T20:08:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …Upon further reading, I have discovered that, [in New York](http://www.driveubernyc.com/tlc-overview/), Uber requires all its drivers (UberX included, which this man operates with) to be licensed as livery drivers, and their vehicles to meet city standards for livery cars. > > As such, my statement that he was driving an unlicensed taxi is incorrect, as he is, in fact, a licensed taxi driver operating in accordance with New York law. > > I apologize for the error. Get…help, please. Your responses to fascist cops are deeply troubling. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1395 "2015-04-02T20:10:06Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …Upon further reading, I have discovered that, [in New York](http://www.driveubernyc.com/tlc-overview/), Uber requires all its drivers (UberX included, which this man operates with) to be licensed as livery drivers, and their vehicles to meet city standards for livery cars. > > As such, my statement that he was driving an unlicensed taxi is incorrect, as he is, in fact, a licensed taxi driver operating in accordance with New York law. > > I apologize for the error. I wonder if you’ll learn anything about knee-jerk support for law enforcement in the future… Based on your posting history, this seems unlikely, but one can always hope. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1396 "2015-04-02T20:11:19Z")
> [@get\_lives](#): > > Get…help, please. Your responses to fascist cops are deeply troubling. Did you not notice he agrees that the cop in this situation is in the wrong. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1397 "2015-04-02T20:11:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It’s not a matter of law. It’s a matter of **the meanings of words in the English language**. When we’re discussing matters of law and legal treatment (and assertions that drivers are breaking the law), then it absolutely is a matter of law, and more than just the meanings of words. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1398 "2015-04-02T20:14:26Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I wonder if you’ll learn anything about knee-jerk support for law enforcement in the future… I have agreed all along that the cop in this situation was _wrong_. The worst offense the driver committed here was improper use of his horn, which did not warrant the cop banging on his vehicle and going on a xenophobic tirade. Even if he had been unlicensed as I previously thought, that behavior would have been unwarranted. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1399 "2015-04-02T20:18:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …Upon further reading, I have discovered that, [in New York](http://www.driveubernyc.com/tlc-overview/), Uber requires all its drivers (UberX included, which this man operates with) to be licensed as livery drivers, and their vehicles to meet city standards for livery cars. > > As such, my statement that he was driving an unlicensed taxi is incorrect, as he is, in fact, a licensed taxi driver operating in accordance with New York law. > > I apologize for the error. Except, as I mentioned, taxi and livery are different in NYC. I think. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1400 "2015-04-02T20:22:54Z")
Actually I think I still don’t have this right. I will do homework and report. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=69) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=71)