Safety Handbook

Respecting other people’s rights

Physical Contact: 

While using the Coop Colorado/Coop Driver, refrain from touching strangers unless they request or require assistance. Deliberately causing harm to anyone is strictly prohibited.

Sexual assault and misconduct:

Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: 

• Commenting on someone’s appearance
• Asking about relationship status
• Sexual assault and sexual misconduct of any kind. 
• Sexual assault and misconduct refers to sexual contact or behavior without explicit consent of the other person.
• Making explicit comments or gestures 
• Flirting
• Sharing indecent material

Threats and Aggression

Aggressive behaviors of any kind are prohibited while driving or riding with us. Any disrespectful, discriminatory, threatening, or inappropriate action is forbidden. 

Post-trip Prohibited Actions 

Unless the need to return lost items should occur, contact between drivers and riders should end when the trip comes to an end. Contact without mutual consent can represent harassment. Such behaviors includes: 

• Texting
• Calling
• social media contact
• Visiting or trying to visit someone’s address/location after completing a trip. 

Discrimination 

Any form of discrimination against users and drivers based on race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, gender identity, age or any other characteristic protected under applicable law is prohibited at the Drivers Cooperative - Colorado. Refusing to provide or accept services based on any of these characteristics, and any other violation of this policy, will result in losing access to Coop Colorado and Coop-Driver. 

Forbidden discriminatory behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• We do not tolerate refusing to provide or receive services based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, skin color, age, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, language, geographical location, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
• Discriminating on the basis of a rider’s destination, such as specific neighborhoods, based on discriminatory beliefs about the characteristics of residents.
• Any form of discriminatory language, remarks, or vilification is prohibited.
• Asking personal questions regarding national origin, race, ethnicity, or any other trait previously mentioned. 
• Making racial comments or using slurs.

Damage: 

DDC prohibits any type of property damage. Examples of such damages include: 

• Damaging the car 
• Breaking technological devices, like phones or tablets
• Spilling food or drinks
• Smoking
• Vomiting

Those responsible for damaging vehicles will be subjected to cleaning and repairing fees. DCC reserves the right to remove individuals from its platforms following instances of intentional damaging of vehicles.

Ensuring Safety 

Account Sharing: 

Sharing accounts infringes DDC’s Terms of Service. To provide or use our services, each driver or rider will have to start and maintain a personal account. In addition, individuals should never share personal account information. 

Minors

DDC’s riders and account users must be 18 or older to have an account. 

Riders may create an account for a minor aged 16 or 17 years old if they are their parent or legal guardian, and in doing so give permission and consent on the minor’s behalf. The rider account holder assumes all responsibility and liability for the minor’s behavior while riding.                                            

Permitted Riders: 

Only the driver, rider, and rider’s guests are allowed onboard DCC’s verified vehicles during rides. 

The account holder is responsible for the behavior of their entire party at the risk of facing deactivation for instances of inappropriate, damaging, or forbidden actions.

Seat Belts: 

Drivers and passengers, including those seated in the back, must wear seat belts throughout the entire journey. Riders should select a vehicle that has adequate seat belts for all members of their group. Drivers have the right to refuse a ride if their vehicle does not have enough seat belts for all passengers.

Dash Camera: 

Driver-owners are required to use a dash camera in their vehicle. Colorado allows the use of dash cameras and using footage in case of accidents. However: 

• Dash cameras should be positioned appropriately to avoid impairing the driver’s view and increasing the risk of unsafe driving.
• Sharing or streaming a person's image, audio, or video recording on social media or other digital or physical public locations violates our guidelines.

Additional Requirements

Drivers must maintain a good driving record at all times when driving for the cooperative. Drivers are responsible for guaranteeing safety for all the parties involved. 

Emergency

In case of an emergency or immediate danger, riders and drivers should contact 911 and alert local authorities immediately before notifying DCC. 

Complying with the Law

Violating any state or federal laws is strictly prohibited for all parties involved. 

Drivers are required to know and obey all applicable laws, especially the rules of the road, such as:

• Speed limits
• Traffic laws 
• Street signs and signals 
• Allowed turns
• Parking regulations
• Pedestrian rules

Documents

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all licenses, permits, and any other legal documents are up to date. The cooperative reserves the right to notify drivers about the need to update such documents or initiate deactivation in case of continuous failure to comply with the law. 

Car Seats

Drivers and riders should comply with applicable laws when traveling with infants and small children. Regulations include: 

• Riders must provide and properly install an appropriate car seat for infants and small children.
• Children aged 12 and under should ride in the back seat.
• If a child does not meet the height and weight safety standards for the car seat, or if the driver feels the child cannot be safely transported, the driver may cancel the ride.

Service Animals

Denying a ride to a rider because of their service animal or assistive device is prohibited by law. To comply with regulations against discrimination and ableism, riders are permitted to travel with service animals and assistive devices.

Drug Use and Alcohol

Drugs and alcohol consumption are never allowed when using DCC.

Drivers have the right to refuse the trip if a rider is excessively intoxicated or disruptive, prioritizing their own safety. If a rider becomes too rowdy during a trip and is inhibiting the driver’s ability to complete the ride, the driver must end the trip early in a safe location and is required to contact a police officer.

As a rider, if you suspect your driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, request the driver to end the trip immediately. Exit the vehicle and call 911. Afterward, please report your experience to DCC once you are safely out of the vehicle.

No-Smoking Policy

Smoking in DCC vehicles is prohibited under our community guidelines. Some passengers may have respiratory conditions or be sensitive to smoke odors. Out of respect for all members of our community, we request that you abstain from smoking inside DCC cars.

Weapons Policy

Carrying and using firearms of any kind is banned for riders, riders’ guests, and drivers, when using DCC. 

DCC enforces a strict "No Weapons" policy across all its premises, including DCC Hubs and service centers.

This policy is in effect whenever you are representing DCC, whether you are driving for the company or visiting a DCC Hub.

Even in regions where carrying a weapon is legal, we request that you refrain from bringing any weapons onto DCC property.

We implement this policy with the community's well-being in mind. It's challenging to predict what might make others uncomfortable, and the mere presence of a weapon can cause distress and concern for personal safety among community members.

A "weapon" is broadly defined and includes firearms, such as handguns, as well as other items like stun guns, explosives, knives, slingshots, and tasers. DCC retains the sole discretion to determine what constitutes a weapon. If you have any doubts about whether an item might be considered a weapon under this policy, please reach out to DCC Support before bringing it onto DCC property.

Please note that this general policy does not apply to authorized security personnel contracted or employed by DCC, nor does it apply to law enforcement personnel.

If you observe someone in possession of a weapon in a DCC vehicle, please inform us by tapping 'Contact Support' below.

Fraud

Fraudulent activities are strictly forbidden within DDC. This encompasses, but is not limited to:

• Intentionally extending the time or distance of a trip
• Accepting trips with no intention of completing them
• Falsely claiming fees or charges
• Making unfounded reports against drivers
• Providing false documentation or records
• Attempting to manipulate or modify Coop Driver/Coop Colorado functions
• Misusing promotions
• Disputing charges for fraudulent or illegitimate reasons
• Creating fraudulent accounts