How to rideshare safely in this slushy, snowy mess

Michael Ennis, 26, is a driver for Lyft. He was out driving across King County in the snow for over twelve hours on Monday.

Between trips (23 to be exact), Ennis called into The Record from his Dodge Dart in Woodinville to speak live on-air with KUOW's Marcie Sillman about working in the snow.

Lightly edited for clarity

Marcie Sillman: Hi Michael, thanks for calling.

Michael Ennis: Hey there. Thanks for having me.

Sillman: Where are you?

Ennis: Currently I am in Woodinville, though I am from Federal Way. I'm a driver for Lyft so I am all over the Greater King County area right now.

Sillman: Well what kind of car are you driving around out there?

Ennis: I have a Dodge Dart, which is just two-wheel drive but I have brand new tires, so we're faring pretty well.

Sillman: How much has business, or at least the demand for rides, increased during this storm period?

Ennis: Demand for rides right now is absolutely incredible. It is nonstop, regardless of where you are in the county. There is always a need.

There are very few drivers out on the roads on either the Lyft or Uber platform right now, to the point where customers in more congested areas, such as the greater Seattle area, we're seeing wait times upwards of two hours last night to get matched.

Sillman: What would be a recommendation that might make it a little bit easier to get a ride?

Ennis: If you are living at an area where you're on a hill, or you're at the bottom of a steep hill, or you know that somewhere where it's going to be treacherous or not well-plowed, be conscientious and – if possible with your condition – try and make it down to a more plowed street or just a flat area where the driver can pick you up.

You don't have to do it right away, but drop the pin where you're going to be and then as the driver gets closer come out to that pin.

Produced for the web by Brie Ripley