How to identify your driver and stay safe when using Uber

Have you ever experienced that awkward moment where you request your Uber and can’t seem to find the driver?

Or had a stranger walk up to the passenger seat and try to open the door thinking the trip was for them?

These tips will help you avoid those incidents.

After you request your trip, simply wait inside and tick off these few things before you get into the vehicle:

Person requesting Uber. Picture: twitter/@Uber_RSA

• Verify your driver and vehicle before getting into the vehicle: The Uber app provides users with all the details of your driver and vehicle as soon as the driver accepts your request.

• Check if the vehicle make and colour match the description of the vehicle which is provided on the app with an image.

• Identify the vehicle registration plate and double-check with the app.

• Ask for your driver’s name and check the photo of the driver in the app. Double click the image to enlarge it.

• Share your trip with your friends or family members: Riders can select up to five trusted contacts on their phones to share their trips details with during every single trip. Uber rides are tracked by GPS from the beginning of the trip to the end.

• Lastly, use your intuition: If your gut tells you something is not right, you can contact a driver partner through the app, including tapping the shield icon on the map to access the emergency button to call for assistance.

Uber has a stringent process in selecting drivers before they are able to use the app. The driver has to submit their valid professional driver’s permit issued by the traffic licensing department, a police criminal check, as well as an additional automated fingerprint identification systems check, managed by Uber.

Read the original article on Sandton Chronicle

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.