As the use of Uber is on the increase, especially in big cities, it’s so important to know how to use the service safely. In this blog, we will take you through some top tips on how to keep yourself safe as an Uber passenger.
Request your driver inside
When it gets to the end of the night and it’s time to head home, try to minimise the amount of time you need to spend outside alone. You can do this by ordering your Uber whilst still inside and remain there until your driver has arrived outside. If you go outside and don’t see your Uber close by, make use of the messaging feature in the app to communicate with your driver to ensure you get to the car safely.
Make sure to check you’re getting into the right car
The great thing about the Uber app is that it will tell you exactly what car and registration to look out for when you get the notification that your driver has arrived. Before getting into the car, have the driver confirm your name, e.g. “What name is this booking under?”.
You should also follow the process of checking:
Sit in the back of the car
Where possible, jump into the back of the car. This ensures that when you reach your destination, you can easily exit from either side of the car to avoid moving traffic. This will also give both you, and the driver some personal space.
Share your trip details with loved ones
The Uber app gives you the option to share your journey with people from your contacts to keep them up-to-date on your live location. Simply tap, Share trip status and select your chosen contact - this will then send them a push notification or message. This contact will be able to see the driver’s name, licence plate, your live location and ETA. This will give them peace of mind and let them know when you have arrived at your destination safely.
Trust your instincts
Remember that if you are ever feeling unsafe, you can end your ride at any time. There is also an option in the app for emergencies where you can alert emergency services and they will be notified of your live location, etc.
It’s important to keep Uber as safe as possible for users, so make sure you leave some feedback on your ride. If you ever experience any safety issues, ensure you report it on the app to keep future passengers safe.
As pepper spray isn't a legal weapon in the UK, it's important that women have a legal way of defending themselves when travelling or walking alone. Our Angela personal safety alarms are a great tool to carry in case you ever find yourself in a situation where you feel unsafe.
