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Safety Tips for Using Uber or Other Ride-Sharing Services!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
While services like Uber, Lyft, Waave, Wingz, Flywheel, HopSkipDrive, Via, Grab, Cabify, Curb, and Bolt among others offer a great convenience, it is always advisable to keep safety first as These companies may fall short when it comes to implementing rideshare safety practices, Safety issues with these companies may include;
-- Failing to properly screen potential drivers by not requiring them to be fingerprinted before joining the platform
-- Not removing abusive drivers from the apps, even if there’s a history of complaints against them from previous passengers
-- Women often face a higher risk of assault by rideshare drivers. Of the 191 rapes reported to Uber in 2020, 81% of the victims were women.
-- Because of these safety concerns, riders must be informed about the best ways to reduce the risk of assault while using rideshare apps. There are several steps passengers can take to protect themselves from harm. These include;
Always Verify Identity
Double-check the driver's name, photo, and vehicle details, then ask the driver to confirm their name before getting in the vehicle.
Cancel The Ride!
If you are not feeling comfortable for any reason, cancer the ride before getting into the car!
Pick up in public
Select a busy, well-lit pick-up location. Airports and hotels often have specific ride-sharing pickup zones designed with safety in mind.
Tell a friend
Share your trip with a trusted friend or family member. Share your whereabouts with someone other than who you’re with so they know when you make it home safely.
Request your ride from indoors
Avoid lingering outside alone while looking down at your phone.
Check your driver’s rating
Be sure that your driver has prior experience and a good rating.
Confirm the car, license plate and driver before getting in. Be sure the information and photo on your rideshare app about your driver matches the vehicle you get into.
Sit in the back seat
Sit in the back seat always. This will create space between you and the driver, which could lessen the chances of an assault taking place. Sit directly behind the driver making it very difficult for the driver to physically approach you!
When entering the back seat of a car, consider checking the child safety lock feature. There should be a small lever on the inside of the door:
If it’s pushed up, this feature is off.
If the lever is down, the safety lock has been activated, and you may not be able to exit the vehicle on your own.
If there are multiple riders in your group, the front seat may be the only space in the car that’s available. Still, having other passengers present during the ride may also reduce the risk of an assault taking place.
Wear your seatbelt
Seatbelts are there to protect you in the event of an accident. Buckle up.
Keep your personal information confidential
There’s nothing wrong with conversing with your driver, just plan to leave your personal information out of the conversation. You shouldn’t share personal information like your:
-- Home address
-- Phone number
-- Workplace
The driver may use this information to stalk or harass you in the future, even if they didn’t seem dangerous during your ride together.
Never pay cash!
Taking out your wallet to tip may put you at risk of theft. Uber and Lyft offer the ability to tip through their app.
Know your surroundings
If you’re familiar with the area where your ride is taking place, keep an eye on the streets and places around you to make sure your driver is going to the correct location.
When using Uber, Lyft or other ride-sharing services in a new area, you can also track the route on your phone’s map to give you peace of mind that your driver is taking the right turns to arrive at your destination.
If you believe your driver is going somewhere other than your intended destination, consider asking where they’re going or calling someone who may be waiting for you.
If the driver is aware that someone is expecting you, it will always serve as a deterrent.
Trust Your Instincts
If something about your ride feels wrong, don’t hesitate to take action or seek help by;
-- Calling someone during your ride, so your driver knows someone is aware of what’s going on
-- Canceling the ride at any time on your rideshare app
-- Asking the driver to pull over Exiting the vehicle when it is safe to do so!
Call for Help
If you ever feel uncomfortable on a trip but aren’t in an emergency situation, you can tap the safety shield feature available in the app of most services If the situation escalates, call 911, You can also contact the police directly by using the emergency button in your app. This button allows you to share details about your trip and current location with the dispatcher.
Report Abuse or Harassment
If you were abused or harassed by driver, you should report the driver to the rideshare company as soon as it’s safe to do so. By informing the company about the incident, their support team may be able to provide you with resources and remove the driver from the app’s platform. Reporting a driver may prevent future riders from experiencing abuse from this driver.