FORT MYERS, Fla. — Uber driver Nina Fournier of North Fort Myers says that one request is what set him off.
“He was not wearing a mask, I said sir, I need you to wear a mask,” said Nina Fournier.
“Then he yelled profanity at me, he said my hands were full you blah blah blah, I’ll put it on now,” said Fournier.
Fournier says she was simply following company protocol, as seen on Uber’s websitefollowing CDC guidelines. It calls for all drivers and passengers to wear a mask inside the vehicle, to limit the spread of COVID- 19. Fournier says the ride was awkward and nerve-wracking until they arrived at the final destination in Fort Myers.
“He said listen to you, more profanity, you better watch the way you are with people,” said Fournier.
“He got out of my car, slammed the door, very hard, and then stood in front of my car, inviting me to run him over, and this was all over me asking him to wear a mask,” said Fournier.
Encounters like Fournier’s seem to be all too common for Uber drivers nowadays.
In Flagler County, one passenger is seen putting a driver in a headlock on video after refusing to comply with company guidelines. We reached out to Uber on Fournier’s situation, and they tell us.
“Masks are mandatory on any Uber trip, and drivers can always cancel a trip if they don’t feel comfortable. We do want accountability. Users (riders, drivers, and delivery people) who repeatedly violate the mask policy risk losing their access to Uber.”
Fournier says she felt unsafe, and the Cape Coral Police Department says that is unacceptable.
“If you’re going to use a ride-sharing app or a taxi, or whatever you need to understand if that company has a policy that you must wear a mask you’re going to have to wear a mask,” said Master Corporal, Phil Mullen, Public Affairs Officers with Cape Coral Police Department.
“If you’re feeling threatened for any way or any reason, give us a call. There really is no excuse to threaten anyone, with any violence for any reason but especially over a mask,” said Mullen.
