How to stay safe when using an Uber taxi
Passengers can ensure their safety with these tips
Uber taxis have taken the world by storm, but so has the news of people landing themselves in very dangerous situations.
Thankfully, there are ways that passengers can ensure their safety.
Have a look at these UberSafety tips:
Know your ride: Passengers should always take the time to review the safety features available to them in the Uber app, and remember that Uber rides can only be requested through it. This means users should never accept street hails from people claiming to be Uber driver-partners.
When passengers are ready to request a ride, it is important for them to avoid spending unnecessary time outside alone with their phones in their hands. Rather wait indoors until the app shows the driver has arrived.
Know your driver: When a driver accepts a passenger’s request, the passenger will be able to see the driver’s first name, photo, car licence plate number, type of vehicle and the vehicle colour from within the app itself – on the map. You should always make sure that these details match, even before you open the car door.
Sharing trip details: Uber’s technology makes it possible to track your trip using your own GPS, and to share your estimated time of arrival with the person you’re travelling to. This helps friends and family keep track of where you are, without even downloading the Uber app!
In-app help: The tool is designed to help passengers get responses to their queries in the shortest time possible. The support system can be accessed by navigating to the “Help’’ section on the menu, which helps passengers and driver-partners alike to communicate any concerns they might have during a trip and get an instant response.
Follow your intuition: Passengers should be aware of their surroundings at all times. If you feel that something is not right, trust your instincts and use your best judgement. You should also be cautious about sharing any personal information and always confirm that the driver-partner is in fact the one you saw on the app. If you ever feel you’re in an emergency situation, contact the local emergency services immediately.
There’s no need for passengers to share their phone numbers or other contact information with their driver. If a rider and driver need to contact each other, the Uber app will automatically anonymise both phone numbers to protect everyone’s privacy.
Give feedback: Passengers should always give feedback on how their trip went. This helps improve the Uber experience for everyone, maintains a high-quality service and provides accountability. Uber has a 24/7 global support team which reviews the feedback and follows up with appropriate action in the event of reports of conduct that violates the Community Guidelines.
Uber constantly develops new technologies to ensure safety before, during, and after every ride. The organisation is committed to continuously educating riders and driver-partners on the use of the technology by providing tips to improve their safety on every ride.
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