LOCAL drivers of Didi Express are authorized to cancel service if they think a drunk passenger poses a safety threat, according to a pilot program of the Shenzhen branch of Didi Chuxing, one of the major app-based car hailing providers in the country.

Under the new rule, a drunk passenger should be accompanied by a sober passenger when taking a Didi ride.

In a November survey of 269,000 netizens, 86 percent thought drivers should be allowed to refuse to give rides to drunk passengers, and 14 percent of the respondents thought drivers shouldn’t refuse service.

Under the new rule, drivers can report to the app’s service platform whether or not a passenger is drunk. If the passenger behaves rudely, such as verbally or physically assaulting the driver, the driver can cancel the trip and bring the passenger to a police station.

If the passenger can’t get out of the cab after arriving at the destination, the driver can report to the service platform, which will contact the passenger’s family. If the service platform can’t reach a family member of the passenger, the driver can bring the passenger to a nearby police station.

Personal safety for both Didi drivers and passengers has been one of the major concerns of the industry. Cases of Didi passengers being killed or Didi drivers being assaulted by customers have been reported nationwide. The move in Shenzhen aims to provide protection for Didi drivers. (Han Ximin)