SINGAPORE — A Grab passenger has raised serious safety concerns after claiming that their private-hire vehicle driver was streaming dramas and videos while navigating the roads during a recent trip.
The passenger said the incident happened during a journey that lasted around 10 minutes and later shared the experience online to raise awareness about what they believed was a dangerous practice.
The post, shared by Instagram account sgfollowsall on Sept. 8, quickly sparked debate among netizens — with some defending the driver and others questioning why anyone would consider watching videos while driving acceptable.
For the passenger, however, the issue was simple.
“Getting from point A to point B alive seems like a luxury now.”
Passenger Says Driver Was Streaming Content While Driving
According to the passenger’s account, the PHV driver was streaming content while driving during the approximately 10-minute journey.
The passenger said they initially considered confronting the driver but ultimately decided against it.
Their reason was fear that speaking up inside a moving vehicle could lead to an argument or escalation.
“Why risk an escalation inside a moving car?” the passenger wrote.
Instead, the passenger chose to document the incident and eventually filed an official report.
‘Eyes on the Road’ Should Be a Basic Requirement
The passenger also addressed concerns that reporting a driver could affect the person’s livelihood.
But they argued that passenger safety should come first.
They said keeping one’s eyes on the road should be a basic expectation for anyone responsible for transporting passengers.
The passenger also explained why they decided to record the alleged incident from the back seat.
According to their post, passengers may need evidence when reporting safety concerns because platforms often require proof before taking action.
“If speaking up means risking getting shouted at, don’t blame passengers for recording you from the back seat,” they wrote.
Netizens Divided Over Viral Incident
The post generated mixed reactions online.
Surprisingly, many commenters did not agree with the passenger’s criticism of the driver.
Some suggested that drivers might stream content to help themselves stay alert during long hours on the road.
One commenter suggested that some drivers may do so “to stay focused and awake.”
Another said there was “nothing wrong” with the driver’s actions and suggested the driver was simply listening and occasionally watching.
But others sided with the passenger and argued that the issue should be viewed primarily as a matter of road safety.
Safety or Entertainment? The Debate Heats Up
The incident has reopened a wider debate over distractions behind the wheel.
PHV drivers often spend long hours navigating congested roads and dealing with the mental and physical demands of transporting passengers.
But passengers also expect drivers to remain focused on the road.
That has created a sharp divide online.
Can streaming content help a tired driver stay awake?
Or does it create another distraction that could put passengers and other road users at risk?
For many commenters, the answer appeared to depend on whether the driver was simply listening to content or actively watching the screen.
But for the passenger who reported the incident, the distinction did not erase the concern.
Grab Asked for Comment
AsiaOne said it had reached out to Grab for more information regarding the incident.
At the time of the report, further details on any action against the driver had not been disclosed.
The passenger, meanwhile, said they had already lodged an official report.
The case has now added to continuing conversations in Singapore about passenger safety, driver fatigue and the growing use of mobile devices and digital entertainment while behind the wheel.
A Bigger Question About Passenger Safety
The viral incident may involve one passenger and one driver, but the debate touches on a larger issue.
Passengers who book a private-hire ride place their safety in the hands of someone they may have never met before.
They expect the driver to make safe decisions.
They also expect to arrive at their destination safely.
For the passenger involved in this latest incident, that expectation should not be controversial.
Keeping your eyes on the road should be the bare minimum.
Yet the divided reaction online shows that not everyone sees the situation the same way.
Some sympathise with drivers who spend long hours on the road.
Others believe there should be zero tolerance for any unnecessary distraction while transporting passengers.
The Bottom Line
A Grab passenger has filed a report after alleging that their PHV driver was streaming dramas and videos during a 10-minute journey.
The passenger said they chose not to confront the driver directly out of concern that the situation could escalate inside the moving vehicle.
Instead, they recorded the incident and reported it.
The online reaction was divided, with some defending the driver and others strongly supporting the passenger’s safety concerns.
AsiaOne has sought comment from Grab regarding the incident.
For now, one question continues to drive the debate:
Should passengers ever have to wonder whether the person driving them is watching the road — or watching something else?
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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