Ridesharing Safety Tips to Know Before Your Next Adventure

If you’re thinking of downloading the Uber or Lyft app for your next adventure, there are a few things you need to know. Here are some ridesharing safety tips to keep you safe from harm the next time you travel. There are multiple benefits to using a ridesharing program, whether you’re just trying to get around your own city, or traveling to a new one. Companies like Uber and Lyft provide a cashless way for riders to get where they need to go. Cash will never need to exchange hands as it’s all done via the app, so it’s a safer option in that regard. Similarly, you’ll be able to get door-to-door service wherever you want to go. This keeps you from having to walk through unfamiliar streets as you might have to do if you were to take public transportation.

While ridesharing is effective, convenient, and eco-friendly, there are safety concerns that you should be aware of before using the app. Here are some ridesharing safety tips to help you have the best possible commute and keep you out of harm’s way.

Most Important of the Ridesharing Safety Tips: Always Check the Driver Profile

Before getting into a Lyft or Uber vehicle, it’s important to be sure the person in front of you is your assigned driver. Both apps offer a way for you to check the driver’s profile to ensure you have the right vehicle. Within the profile, you can verify identity by the driver’s image and name. Here you’ll also be able to read ratings and feedback from other customers.

Share Your Location With a Trusted Friend

Be sure to let people know where you are at all times and where you’re heading. You can even screenshot the driver profile so they know exactly who you’re with. Some ride programs allow you to track exactly where you’re going with your driver from within the app, so if something doesn’t seem right, you can contact emergency assistance also right from the app.

Utilize the Ride Sharing Apps Built-in Safety Features

Many riders are either unaware of or simply don’t utilize the ridesharing app’s built-in safety features. Uber, for example, provides a one-time PIN number for each ride (you’ll have to Opt-in for this feature). This ensures you’re getting into the right vehicle with the right driver; simply have the driver verify the pin number.

Stay Inside if Possible Until Your Ride Arrives

If at all possible, remain indoors while waiting for your ride. It’s much safer to stay inside rather than hang around outside with your phone in your hand. This way you’re not making yourself a target, because someone meaning to do you harm, would recognize that you’re waiting for a ride.

If Traveling Solo Sit in the Backseat

There are probably a rare few who sit in the front seat when traveling solo, so this tip likely won’t apply for everyone, but when you get in the car, sit in the back seat. This will allow you to exit safely from either door of the vehicle if you ever start to feel unsafe. Also, check to make sure child safety locks aren’t on the doors when you enter. Close the door and reopen on your own before you pull off.

Try to Travel in Groups

As with anything, the more the merrier. When it comes to ride-share safety, traveling with other people is always your safest bet. Uber Pool and Lyft Line offer carpooling options which is ideal when attending concerts or festivals. There is safety in numbers, so if possible, try to share a ride with a trusted friend. This is especially true if any of you are even the slightest bit intoxicated.

Call 911 if You Feel Unsafe

Both Lyft and Uber provide a way for you to contact 911 directly from the app. Simply tap the button and you’ll be connected to emergency services. This is why it’s a good idea to keep the app open and in your hands while riding. You never know when something can happen, and being prepared right away vs. fumbling around in your purse, could mean the difference between life and death.

Always Trust Your Gut No Matter What

When it comes to safety when using a ride-share program like Uber or Lyft, it’s always good to trust your instinct. More often than not your intuition will tell you when something doesn’t feel right. And, don’t forget, that just because someone is friendly and outgoing at the start, doesn’t mean they couldn’t be out to cause harm, so always be alert, don’t give out personal information, and keep the conversation light and basic, especially when traveling alone.

After Marci and Seymour Josephson’s daughter Samantha was murdered by someone posing as an Uber driver, the couple created the What’s My Name Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to educate the world on ride-share safety. Samantha’s parents encourage riders, “Before you get in a rideshare, ask, ‘What’s my name?'”  prompting the driver to tell you who they’re there to pick up. If they don’t know your name, you simply don’t get in the car.

Additional Ridesharing Apps to Consider

While Uber and Lyft are the two most popular ridesharing services, due to their popularity, an increasing number of similar businesses have been popping up all over the world. Wingz, based out of San Francisco, allows users to choose their favorite drivers, this could be the ultimate in safety if you’re used to a particular rideshare driver.

Another service, called Via, is available in some cities in California, Arlington, VA, Chicago, New York, Birmingham, Alabama, and Newton, Massachusetts, and offers carpool rides to popular events. This is a great way to travel to an event with a group, potentially meet new people, and stay safe, all at the same time. Scoop is a ridesharing app that allows local users to arrange carpools to and from work. It’s ideal for those living in suburban areas, trying to get to a job in the city or vice-versa, and a very safe way to commute as you get to know your neighbors and the group rarely changes.

With these tips and strict attention to your intuition, safely navigating the world of ridesharing will ensure that you get where you need to go, without adding to the traffic congestion, especially if you carpool.  It’s an eco-friendly choice that takes the stress of navigating a new area off of you, so you can get where you need to go, relaxed and unhurried. It’s also ideal for those who simply choose not to drive or don’t have access to a vehicle. By implementing these safety tips, ridesharing is a solution that works.