Life
JAM | Jun 16, 2021

How to keep safe during your Uber ride

/ Our Today

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Reading Time: 3 minutes
(Photo: Uber Newsroom)

With the introduction of ride-sharing service Uber to Kingston yesterday -or “vehicle with driver” lease agreement as the company calls it here to ensure its legal permissibility within the local regulatory framework – there has been widespread interest and excitement about the new option for transportation.

But with that said, it remains important for users to ensure their own safety in a country with a crime rate that is yet to be brought under control.

With a quick search of Uber’s website, potential users of the service can find a number of tips on how to keep themselves safe.

“To help keep you safe, we screen drivers and build our technology with safety in mind,” Uber says.

“But there are also actions that you can take to help keep yourself safe. These tips were created in collaboration with law enforcement to help you stay safe while riding with Uber.”

The following are Uber’s safety tips for users:

1. Request your ride inside

Minimise the time that you’re standing outside by yourself with your phone in your hand. Instead, wait inside until the app shows that your driver has arrived.

2. Check Your Ride

Every time you take a trip with Uber, please make sure you’re getting into the right car with the right driver by matching the licence plate, car make and model, and driver photo with what’s provided in your app. Uber trips can only be requested through the app, so never get in a car where the vehicle or driver identity doesn’t match what’s displayed in your app.

3. Have the driver confirm your name

In addition to the Check Your Ride safety steps, you can also ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car. Your driver sees your first name in their app, and your driver’s first name is displayed to you in your app. To safely exchange names, you can ask, “Who are you here to pick up?” The driver may also ask you to confirm their name for their own peace of mind.

4. Be a back-seat rider

Whenever possible, sit in the back seat, especially if you’re riding alone. This helps ensure that you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic, and it gives you and your driver some personal space.

5. Always wear your seat belt

Seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries related to car crashes.

6. Share your trip details with loved ones

While en route, tap ‘Share trip status’ in the app to share your driver’s name, photo, licence plate, and location with a friend or family member. They will receive a text or push notification that tracks your trip and ETA.

7. Protect your personal information

Uber said its technology anonymises your phone number when you call or message your driver through the app and also masks your pickup and dropoff addresses in a driver’s trip history. In select areas, the Driver app will only show the general area where a trip started and ended.

8. Follow your intuition

Trust your instincts and use your best judgment when requesting a ride with Uber. Uber says that, if you ever feel that you’re in an urgent situation, you can call the pollice by using the Emergency Button located in your app.

“Anytime you call emergency services from the Uber app, the app provides you with your real-time location and trip details that you can share with the dispatcher,” the company says.

If you feel unsafe, you should end your ride immediately.

9. Be kind and respectful

As outlined in its community guidelines, Uber said user’s should respect fellow passengers, the driver and the driver’s car.

10. Give feedback about your trip

After each trip, you’re asked in the app to rate your trip. Uber says this feedback helps the company keep the service safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“If you ever experience a safety issue on a trip, please report it to Uber. Our 24/7 response team will follow up,” the company says.

So, now that you have an idea of how to stay safe in your Uber, enjoy the ride.

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