Boston Police, mayor to crack down on ‘unlawful and dangerous’ driving for Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub

Boston’s police commissioner and the mayor’s chief of streets have put major food delivery companies on notice that the city will be cracking down on dangerous and unlawful operations by their drivers, many of whom use mopeds and scooters.

BPD Commissioner Michael Cox and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge sent a letter Monday to executives from DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Technologies that describes an “alarming increase in unlawful and dangerous operation of motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters” by their food delivery drivers.

Many of those drivers are operating unregistered vehicles, the letter states. The two city officials also described witnessing other violations that include widespread and ongoing incidents of running red lights, driving on city sidewalks, driving the wrong way down one-way streets, speeding, and collisions.

“This type of operation puts the delivery driver, and any pedestrian or driver of a motor vehicle who encounters them, in imminent danger,” the letter states. “We expect all companies operating in the city of Boston to prioritize the safety of our residents and visitors.

“The consistent failure of those operating on your behalf to abide by rules and regulations indicates a concerning lack of oversight and care in regard to public safety,” the letter goes on to state.

The letter is meant to put the three food delivery companies “on notice” of their responsibilities as a service provider in the city, which includes ensuring that drivers delivering food on their behalf comply with state vehicle registration laws and Boston’s traffic rules and regulations, Cox and Franklin-Hodge wrote.

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The Boston Police Department intends to crack down on “unlawful and unsafe behavior” by those food delivery drivers — including traffic violations; operating a moped, motorized scooter or motorcycle without a driver’s license, learner’s permit, license plate or registration decal; and driving those types of vehicles on sidewalks.

Violations, the letter states, may result in fines, loss of license or vehicle seizure.

“The city will consider your company responsible for continued violations by drivers operating on your behalf,” the letter states. “These dangerous behaviors cannot continue.”

Cox and Franklin-Hodge gave the three companies until Friday to respond to a list of questions around how it or plans to ensure safe delivery driving operations.

DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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