STORY YOUMISSED
Chicago rideshare passengers are leaving an unprecedented assortment of personal belongings in the backseats of local vehicles.
Global ride-hailing giant Uber released its annual Lost & Found Index today.
The data reveals that Chicago now ranks as the third most forgetful city in the United States.
Only New York and Miami outpaced local riders for the total volume of items left behind during trips.
The data shows that San Francisco and Los Angeles round out the top five most forgetful metropolitan areas.
Local drivers report finding standard personal items on a daily basis across Cook County.
The ten most commonly forgotten items include mobile phones, wallets, luggage, keys, and headphones.
Passengers also frequently leave clothing, passports, eyeglasses, jewelry, and laptops in vehicles.
The annual index also highlights a massive surge in highly unusual items discovered by drivers after drop-offs.
Riders in the Chicago area and across the country left behind incredibly unique personal belongings over the past year.
One driver discovered a set of dentures containing only two teeth left on a vehicle seat.
Another passenger managed to leave behind an entire container of breast milk during their commute.
Bizarre discoveries inside vehicles included human hair, an ankle monitor, and a group photograph of entertainer Donny Osmond.
Riders also forgot a live fish, a winter toboggan, medical pelvis implants, and a sleep apnea machine.
One of the most alarming items recovered by a driver was a child’s prosthetic eye.
The list of unusual items expands to include large quantities of food and commercial equipment.
Drivers discovered 420 donuts, a sack of marbles, an oxygen tank, and a gold mouth grillz.
One passenger left an entire brand new mini-fridge inside a vehicle.
Another rider forgot a single red-bottom Louboutin high-heeled shoe after a night out.
The index lists an electrical harness, a clothing mannequin, and two full-sized trees.
A passenger traveling with historical documentation left behind official George Washington Hospital discharge papers.
Someone left a cape featuring the Statue of Liberty, while another person forgot $200 worth of items purchased from Temu.
The report notes that bags of grass, a pool stick in a case, and a textured photo with a rhinestoned picture of Jesus were recovered.
A restaurant owner accidentally left a fresh fish loin intended for their commercial kitchen.
Vehicle interiors also yielded two chrome exhaust tips, a portable thermal printer, and a bald cap.
One driver had to deal with an entire commercial dishwasher left in their vehicle.
Working professionals forgot a respirator and a hard hat, a welding helmet, and a police radio.
Pop culture fans left behind a wizard wand and official Zayn Malik musician merchandise.
The inventory grows stranger with the inclusion of handcuffs, two complete wedding gowns, and 20 pounds of duck sausage.
A package containing live butterflies was also abandoned in the back of a vehicle.
Drivers found a propane tank, a double-door oven, hunting waders, a black stethoscope, a kitchen faucet, and a commercial meat slicer.
Local transit experts say the high ranking reflects the fast-paced nature of Chicago life.
Commuters rushing through the Loop or heading to O’Hare International Airport often rush out of vehicles without checking the seats.
The problem affects neighborhoods from Rogers Park down to the South Side.
Rideshare driver organizations recommend that passengers establish a personal routine to prevent losing valuable items.
Passengers should glance back at the seat every time they exit a vehicle.
Turning on the interior overhead light during nighttime drops helps expose items that slipped onto the floorboards.
Riders should also keep their phones in their hands or secure them inside a zipped pocket during the entire journey.
If you leave an item behind, you can use the mobile application to contact your driver immediately.
The platform allows passengers to track their route and request a return delivery for lost property.
Drivers often charge a small fee to cover the fuel and time required to return your items.
Local law enforcement advises against leaving critical medical equipment or prescription items in rideshares.
The data indicates that forgetfulness increases during major holiday weekends and local festival seasons.
Chicago residents will need to be much more vigilant if the city wants to drop lower on the national list next year.
