# Invasion of the Uber Drivers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504 "2018-06-06T00:24:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/21 "2018-06-06T10:43:40Z")
It sounds like it is a common driveway where you rent a spot, your options are somewhat limited on your own, but if you can get other people of the building together, perhaps the landlord of the other building can be contacted and request that they don’t Uber at your building. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/22 "2018-06-06T13:51:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Meaning the next door residents are being pick up and dropped off from MY driveway! > [@Broomstick](#): > > And I have been blocked, although it’s not terribly common, but being stuck in the middle of a four lane road wanting to make a left into my parking lot Is it your driveway, or a public parking lot? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/23 "2018-06-06T14:30:29Z")
Probably a sign reading “Private Driveway” at the front of your driveway would make some (most?) of the Uber drivers hesitant to pull in and might help. If not, maybe you should call your local Police’s non emergency number and ask them if there is anything they can do. The people saying “What’s the big deal?” boggle my mind. Of course it’s a big deal having strangers in your driveway or having your access blocked by people who don’t live there. I would be angry too. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/24 "2018-06-06T16:00:04Z")
The situation sounds quite frustrating. What about talking to the Uber drivers or complaining to Uber? The owner/landlord of the neighboring house? ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/25 "2018-06-06T16:31:24Z")
Sorry, I didn’t realize the extent of the problem - I pictured something different. I would ask your landlord to talk to the owner of the offending building to put a stop to it. Is that possible? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/26 "2018-06-06T16:36:24Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Problem: > > The overcrowded building next to mine, a former single family residence now sub-divided into at least five units, has had a number of its residents using Uber. Fine. Except they insist on having Uber pick them up and drop them off from the _neighboring_ property, where I live. Meaning the next door residents are being pick up and dropped off from MY driveway! > > (Due to all the sub-dividing there are some serious space issues at their place, but I don’t view that as OUR problem) > > Any suggestions for remedies? How about a sign saying “Nails on driveway, park at your own risk.” You don’t need the nails, just a big cardboard sign. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/27 "2018-06-06T17:20:28Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Sorry, I didn’t realize the extent of the problem - I pictured something different. > > I would ask your landlord to talk to the owner of the offending building to put a stop to it. Is that possible? I doubt that would work, even talking to the residents wouldn’t help because the Uber drivers are the ones who are pulling in there but don’t know that they shouldn’t be. **Broomstick** , how close is your driveway to their property & is there a fence between the two? IOW, how likely is it that the Uber drivers _think_ they’re pulling into the right place? ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/28 "2018-06-06T17:38:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Legally, it IS trespassing. I agree that it’s a big deal and a big annoyance, but I’m not sure it’s trespass. IANAL but in my understanding is that it takes more than just entering private land to count as trespass. You need to inform the people whom you don’t want to be there (orally or in a written communication like a letter or by a sign posted on the property) that entrance is forbidden to them. If they continue to enter after being informed, that’s trespass. Some reasonably priced signs here, including customizable options: [https://www.myparkingsign.com](https://www.myparkingsign.com) ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/29 "2018-06-06T17:48:18Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I doubt that would work, even talking to the residents wouldn’t help because the Uber drivers are the ones who are pulling in there but don’t know that they shouldn’t be. > **Broomstick** , how close is your driveway to their property & is there a fence between the two? IOW, how likely is it that the Uber drivers _think_ they’re pulling into the right place? Do we know that for sure? I think it’s just as likely that the neighbors are putting Broomstick’s address down as the pickup point, and since she says they also drop off there, obviously the passengers are telling the Uber driver to pull into the wrong driveway. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/30 "2018-06-06T19:42:08Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > How about parking your car at the foot of your driveway, close to the street? They won’t be able to pull into into your driveway if your car is there. That will also block access for everyone else with a residence or business in my building (it’s zoned for both, and currently has both). > [@kanicbird](#): > > It sounds like it is a common driveway where you rent a spot, your options are somewhat limited on your own, but if you can get other people of the building together, perhaps the landlord of the other building can be contacted and request that they don’t Uber at your building. The other landlord, to put it bluntly, doesn’t give a fuck. HE parks on the lot for my building, despite loud and angry confrontations with my landlord and some involvement of lawyers as well (I try to avoid getting entangled in that). And that one time a towtruck was called for him. The other landlord is a scumlord. > [@Slash1972](#): > > Is it your driveway, or a public parking lot? It is the private driveway of the building I live in, the driveway is private property, and is so posted. > [@Quimby](#): > > Probably a sign reading “Private Driveway” at the front of your driveway would make some (most?) of the Uber drivers hesitant to pull in and might help. If not, maybe you should call your local Police’s non emergency number and ask them if there is anything they can do. The “Private Driveway”, “No Trespassing”, and “Tenant Parking only - all others will be towed” signs seem to be having no effect. What the police can do is limited as they’re not going to post a patrol car to shoo people away. If, when one of us wants to either leave or return to the building, someone is blocking access they will show up and either issue warnings, tickets, or tow the offender but it’s a reactionary process. There was that one winter day… the neighboring landlord doesn’t give a flip about snow removal, so one time after my landlord cleared our lot suddenly all the people from next door moved their cars to our lot. The police showed up and the towing service made some money that day. Much whining ensued, with the next door residents wailing about what to do. My landlord said that if their landlord wasn’t willing to do it then either they’d have to do it themselves or get together and collectively pitch in for a service to do it for them. Apparently, from the viewpoint of the neighbors, neither was the correct answer. Anyhow - the neighbors who remember that don’t park over at my place anymore, but now we’re getting the “just a minute” folks. Who are always more than “just a minute”. > [@SmellMyWort](#): > > The situation sounds quite frustrating. What about talking to the Uber drivers or complaining to Uber? The owner/landlord of the neighboring house? Uber doesn’t give a flip - their drivers are all “independent contractors”, not Uber employees, so as far as Uber is concerned it’s not their problem, it’s a problem between you and another entity (the independent contractor/driver). As noted, the other landlord doesn’t care, either - he likes to park on our property, too. I keep telling my landlord to stop being Mr. Nice Guy and just tow his ass already the next time he does it. > [@Missy2U](#): > > I would ask your landlord to talk to the owner of the offending building to put a stop to it. Is that possible? Already addressed. > [@Spiderman](#): > > **Broomstick** , how close is your driveway to their property & is there a fence between the two? IOW, how likely is it that the Uber drivers _think_ they’re pulling into the right place? Our driveways run parallel and there are a series of posts driven into the ground between them so it’s pretty clear there are two driveways, not one. Yes, if this was an occasional thing I’d be willing to go with the notion that it’s a mistake but this is happening _multiple times per day_, nearly every day the past week or so. > [@bibliophage](#): > > I agree that it’s a big deal and a big annoyance, but I’m not sure it’s trespass. IANAL but in my understanding is that it takes more than just entering private land to count as trespass. According to the lawyer my landlord consulted, and the local sheriff, YES, it is a trespass. Our property has the proper signage. > [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Do we know that for sure? I think it’s just as likely that the neighbors are putting Broomstick’s address down as the pickup point, and since she says they also drop off there, obviously the passengers are telling the Uber driver to pull into the wrong driveway. This is entirely possible. Especially given the number of current and former tenants in that place who try to stay off the grid due to outstanding warrants. They aren’t all like that, but every few months the sheriff or a Federal Marshall shows up and perp-walks one of the tenants out to a squad. Which might be one reason the local law enforcement is willing to show up for this sort of dispute, it’s probably helping them close cases on occasion. We’ve occasionally had problems with drug dealers and pimps in this neighborhood using peoples’ backyards and driveways as pickup/drop off points for deals, but it’s been awhile since the last incident. A couple of years now. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/31 "2018-06-06T19:53:40Z")
If the driveways are so close together, what possible reason would the people have to tell the Uber driver to use your driveway? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/32 "2018-06-06T19:57:11Z")
Uber’s GPS does bizarre things. It always sends cars to the alley behind my place, instead of my front door. Can’t figure that one out. I have no idea what’s going on here, but that could be the problem. On the return trip the passengers are being let off very near their place, so they don’t bother correcting the driver. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/33 "2018-06-06T19:58:10Z")
How about just putting up a sign that says “No Uber Pickups in this Driveway?” Probably would shoo the drivers away. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/34 "2018-06-06T22:31:44Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Sorry, I didn’t realize the extent of the problem - I pictured something different. Same here. I’ll apologize to Broomstick now that she has actually given details. Sorry! The OP was too vague to understand the plight. Now here’s my advice which probably won’t go over too well either. Just put up with it. It seems like you’ve already done everything you can legally do and the landlord has done everything he’s willing to do. If the problem is so completely unbearable, then move. One last thing, if someone is blocking your drive and leaving the car completely unattended, then that’s not an uber pick up/delivery. Tow em. I would be mad at that too. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/35 "2018-06-07T00:19:03Z")
You might try suggesting to your landlord that the posting of a sign that says “FIRE LANE - DO NOT BLOCK” might help. Include a reference number for the appropriate city ordinance. It’s unlikely to hurt and might give you another arrow in your quiver when arguing with the offenders. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/36 "2018-06-07T00:39:17Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > That will also block access for everyone else with a residence or business in my building (it’s zoned for both, and currently has both). Oops, sorry. When you said “my driveway,” I incorrectly assumed it was for a single-family dwelling. Based on everything you’ve described, it sounds like the only remaining option is to make a big scary scene each time it happens, so that Uber drivers start quaking in fear when your address pops up on their phones. I’m not the confrontational type, so if I were in your situation I’d probably just live with it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/37 "2018-06-07T06:42:46Z")
My suggestion is to take pictures when it happens, both of the car, the license, and the passenger(s). You might want to do it from some distance, but make sure the Uber driver sees you doing it, and tell him not to wait there. Uber might react better if there is documentation you can send. If that doesn’t work, see if your local TV station or newspaper would be willing to cover the story. One of our TV stations has a “People behaving badly” segment and your story would be perfect for it. You can also send the sheriff the pictures, just in case someone with an outstanding warrant is in one. A more extreme solution would be for your landlord to post a parking fee for all but residents and guests. Get a junker, and when one of these clowns block the driveway, block him until he pays. As for the other landlord, you might check to see the legality of immoblizing cars parked illegally on your property. I remember a lovely thing called the Denver boot used by some police departments. Wouldn’t work for the Uber cars. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/38 "2018-06-07T07:30:43Z")
Do you have the support of the other residents of your building and the landlord? Whenever an Uber driver pulls into your driveway for a pickup, someone in your building goes out and uses their own car to block the Uber driver in. If the Uberista complains, tell him you live there and can park where you want in your own driveway. Every minute he’s stuck eats into his profits. Hopefully, word will get around. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/39 "2018-06-07T08:42:16Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Based on everything you’ve described, it sounds like the only remaining option is to make a big scary scene each time it happens, so that Uber drivers start quaking in fear when your address pops up on their phones. I’m not the confrontational type, so if I were in your situation I’d probably just live with it. I am quite capable of doing the Big Scary Scene every time, the problem being that when you do that you run the risk of encountering someone who is bigger, scarier, and in this area possibly armed. I have of late being going out and in a very worried voice asking “Are you lost? Are you looking for someplace? Can I help you get where you’re going?” which apparently is quite off-putting to people. But it’s a pain in the ass. Although it’s kind of cute when they say “I’m waiting for someone” and I ask “Who in this building are you waiting for? You’re not waiting for someone in this building? Then why are you in our parking lot? Please go wait in that other building’s parking lot. No, you can’t just sit here, do you see the sign “tenant parking only”? That means you, too. No, this is not public property, it’s private property.” My landlord likes to take photos of the cars and their plates, which seems to freak people out. “You can’t do that!” Um, yes he can - he’s offered on occasion to call the cops and have then explain private property and trespassing to them - no takers so far. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504/40 "2018-06-07T08:47:38Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > My suggestion is to take pictures when it happens, both of the car, the license, and the passenger(s). You might want to do it from some distance, but make sure the Uber driver sees you doing it, and tell him not to wait there. Uber might react better if there is documentation you can send. We take pictures. As I said, Uber doesn’t care. Really, they don’t consider it to be Uber’s problem, it’s a problem between you and [del]their driver[/del] the independent contractor. We have uncovered a couple bad boys for the local sheriff, though. > [@](#): > > A more extreme solution would be for your landlord to post a parking fee for all but residents and guests. Get a junker, and when one of these clowns block the driveway, block him until he pays. That, we have been told by an actual lawyer, is of questionable legality, blocking people in. If I am able to at some point I might use my two vehicles to make it impossible to drive forward/turn around, forcing them to back out of the driveway, but we do not have the legal authority to trap them in the driveway. > [@](#): > > As for the other landlord, you might check to see the legality of immoblizing cars parked illegally on your property. I remember a lovely thing called the Denver boot used by some police departments. Wouldn’t work for the Uber cars. Naw, we just have the cars towed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-the-uber-drivers/815504.md?page=3)