Uber has established itself as the go-to rideshare app in today’s digital world of accessible transportation. People are drawn to Uber because many find the service easy, convenient, and cost-effective. As Uber’s popularity continues to surge worldwide and increase its user base, safety becomes a pressing concern. Knowing a few Uber safety tips can go a long way for both riders and drivers.
Most riders have a safe trip and get to their desired location without any problems. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same experience. When Uber released its safety data in 2020, 998 sexual assault incidents and 141 rapes were reported. The Uber safety tips highlighted in this article can help curtail these disheartening situations and protect people.
Uber’s Safety Features
Before we get into our list of Uber safety tips, let’s discuss some safety features Uber has already integrated into its app, underlining its commitment to user security. By familiarizing yourself with these tools, you can enhance your safety during each ride!
First, Uber provides detailed information about your driver, including their name, photo, vehicle model, and license plate number. This allows you to verify the identity of your driver before beginning your journey. Additionally, the in-app navigation feature ensures your route is tracked, which can be essential if any issues arise.
READ MORE: California Traffic Laws & Personal Injury Claims
Uber also offers an emergency assistance button, which connects riders directly to 911 in case of an emergency. To enhance this feature, the app provides real-time location and trip details that can be easily shared with dispatchers.
RideCheck is another innovative safety feature from Uber. The app uses GPS and other sensors in your driver’s smartphone to detect if a trip goes unusually off-course. If something seems amiss, the rider and driver will receive a RideCheck notification asking if everything is okay.
Lastly, Uber includes a “Share My Trip” feature that allows you to share your trip details with trusted contacts. This is one of the most effective Uber safety tips, enabling your loved ones to track your journey and ensuring that someone else knows where you are.
1. Plan Your Pickup
The first of our Uber safety tips involves being strategic about your pickup location. Avoid requesting rides from secluded or poorly-lit areas, especially during late hours. Instead, select a busy, well-lit spot for your pickup. Safety starts even before you step into the vehicle, so ensure your environment is secure from the get-go!
2. Verify Driver Information
Before entering your Uber, make sure to verify the driver’s information. Check that the driver’s photo, name, car make and model, and license plate number match what’s shown on your app. This double-checking is a vital step to confirm you’re getting into the right car with the assigned driver.
It would be best if you looked at your driver’s rating too. Uber’s platform thrives on its rating system, allowing riders to gauge the reliability of their potential driver based on feedback from previous riders.
3. Confirm Destination
After entering the car and before setting off, confirm the destination with your driver. This step ensures that both you and your driver agree on the route and final destination. You can also monitor the trip progress within the app, enabling you to stay informed about the direction and alerting you if anything seems amiss.
4. Don’t Distract Driver
While engaging in casual conversation is perfectly okay, you never want to distract your driver excessively. Remember, their primary task is to focus on the road and safely get you to your destination. Keeping distractions to a minimum is one of the less talked about but critical Uber safety tips.
It’s also important to be mindful of your privacy. Avoid sharing unnecessary personal information with your driver. Uber ensures that all necessary communication can be done through the app, which maintains a degree of anonymity and safety for both parties.
5. Utilize Uber Safety Features
As we mentioned earlier, Uber provides a range of in-app safety features designed to ensure your security during the ride. These include sharing your ride status with trusted contacts, an emergency assistance button, and in-app reporting for any safety-related issues. Familiarize yourself with these features, and don’t hesitate to use them when needed!
6. Ride With Others
Ride with a friend or family member whenever possible, especially during late-night rides. There is safety in numbers, and this simple step can provide an extra layer of security. If you’re going to ride alone, please share your trip details (including the driver’s and ETA) with a trusted contact.
Closing Words
These Uber safety tips serve as a guide to ensure your experience is as secure as possible. Remember, safety starts with you, so always stay alert, and don’t hesitate to use Uber’s features and safety tools. If you get into an accident while riding and sustain injuries, call Deldar Legal at (844) 335-3271 immediately!
Our smart team of California personal injury attorneys will help guide you through the complexities of the rideshare insurance claim process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Not sure if your injury qualifies for an insurance claim? Speak directly with one of our Uber accident lawyers and contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation appointment.
Tagged with: auto accident injuries, driver safety, rideshare passenger injury
Posted in: Uber & Lyft