5 Tips for a Safer Uber or Lyft Ride

With recent headlines that include over 3,000 allegations of sexual assault by Uber drivers in 2018, many passengers are justly concerned about their safety when using a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft.

Here are five tips that will help keep passengers safe.

1.)       Compare vehicle info before entering the vehicle.  All ride-hailing apps provide information about the color, make, model, and license plate number of your particular ride.

2.)       Verify driver info before closing the door.  Ride-hailing apps include the driver’s name and photograph.  Make sure the driver’s info matches what’s shown in the app.

3.)       Look for the color beacon.  Uber now uses color-matching technology to let the passenger know to look for the specific color of the driver’s beacon display.

4.)       Use the PIN.  In September, Uber announced a feature that matches riders and drivers using four-digit Personal Identification Numbers.   Other ride-hailing services will likely follow.   “To make sure you get in the right car, you’ll now be able to choose to receive a unique four-digit PIN to verbally provide to your driver,” the company said in a message on its website. “The driver will only be able to start your trip in the app once the correct PIN has been entered.”

5.)       If possible, wait indoors.  Especially if you are in an unfamiliar area, wait for your car in a well-lighted preferably indoor area.

Uber also added additional safety features in September.  The list includes real-time identification checks for drivers, a text message-to-911 feature, the ability to report a problem to Uber while en route, and a notification to the rider if a drop-off point is near a bike lane.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)