Uber craze: party teens hitching free rides in boots

MUMS in Bayside suburbs have warned of a potentially lethal new craze among party-going youngsters that involves a sneaky but hazardous trick to get a free ride in an Uber.

PARTYING teens are risking life and limb to save a buck by travelling home in the boot of ride share cars.

The Leader can reveal teenagers are duping Uber drivers into popping the boot for their bags, then climbing in.

The practice is thought to be happening most weekends.

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One Bayside mother, who did not want to be named, said she was horrified when she arrived to pick her daughter up from a party and saw a group of girls piling their friend into the boot of the full Uber car in front.

“The Uber driver was totally unaware (the girl) was hopping in the boot,” she said.

“I asked my daughter about it and she said ‘she’s getting in the boot because it saves them getting a second Uber’ (because there are too many of them to fit in one car).”

The woman said the money-saving scheme had become “common knowledge” among parents in the Bayside area.

The trick involves sneaking an extra person into a full Uber ride by jumping in the boot. Picture: Supplied

“Every weekend there’s a party so this would be happening all the time and at this time of year there are more events and more people using Ubers,” she said.

Hampton mother-of-two Felicity Frederico said she had spoken about the risky manoeuvre with her teenagers and urged other parents to do the same.

“There are no airbags in boots, there are no safety features; boots aren’t designed for human cargo,” she said.

“Parents should have the discussion with their children about the risks involved.

“I just don’t want (these teenagers) to make mistakes that have got lifetime consequences.”

Port Phillip Inspector Jason Kelly said “boot loading” was a serious issue.

“It’s not a trend we’ve identified but it’s certainly concerning if people are putting their lives at risk or risking serious injury by riding in the boot,” he said.

Drivers found with unrestrained passengers, including in the boot, face fines of $317 and the loss of three demerit points.

The ‘passenger’ in the boot also faces a $317 fine.

Insp Kelly said the vehicle would also be classed as overloaded and could be impounded under hoon legislation.

An Uber spokesperson said there had been no “substantial reports” about boot loading from drivers.

“We strongly condemn this behaviour and will take action if we are made aware of riders who engage in it.”