SHAH ALAM - For many people leaving a night out, the last person they encounter before getting home safely is not a friend or family member—it is an e-hailing driver.
These drivers are quietly on the frontline, ensuring that intoxicated passengers make it home safely and that roads remain accident-free.
Grab driver Siti Anizah, better known on TikTok as @nizaladydriver, has seen it all.
“Some passengers think they are fine to drive, while others are embarrassed to take a ride. Some fall asleep immediately. Others talk loudly, repeat themselves, or just cannot stop moving around.
“Younger passengers tend to be more boisterous, and men sometimes display overconfidence or aggression, while older passengers and women are generally calmer,” she said in an interview with Sinar Daily, adding that no matter who gets into her car, safety is always the top priority.
Late-night rides also come with unique challenges.
She said the dashcam was always recording. If a passenger was aggressive or unstable, the ride was stopped in a safe place, and customer service was contacted
Another Grab driver, Haslee, who works the midnight shift, described his trips as ranging from quiet conversations to sudden bursts of energy or mood swings
“They usually do not request much. Some prefer colder air-conditioning, while others enjoy loud electronic dance music.
"Most either have casual conversations or fall asleep during the trip,” he said.
Anizah said most rides with intoxicated passengers happen late at night or in the early hours, particularly on weekends and during major holidays like New Year’s or Chinese New Year. Despite occasional vomiting, mood swings, or difficult behavior, she said drivers must remain composed and focused
“You have to stay calm and alert. It is part of the job, but it is also part of saving lives,” Anizah said.
E-hailing drivers do more than provide transport. They are a silent safety net, helping people make responsible choices and reducing alcohol-related road accidents. In the crowded streets of Kuala Lumpur and beyond, these night riders are quietly making a big difference, one trip at a time.