Millions of people use ridesharing apps such as Uber, Lyft, and Rydz to reach their destinations at the tap of a finger. For many young passengers, we find this simple and very convenient. What are some of the ridesharing safety tips? How do you ride Uber or Lyft safely?
In the 21st century, transportation and mobility have become one of the most crucial elements of our day-to-day lives. It does not matter if you want to go out to have fun or some work; you always need a mode of transport. Not every individual can afford a vehicle of their own, and not everyone loves to drive their own vehicle.
As a result, people have shifted to cabs and other similar modes. Cabs are undoubtedly a boon, especially for those who are employed. With the increased demand for cabs among travelers, companies have come up with ride-sharing facilities.
Ridesharing also allows you to share your cab with passengers who are traveling on the same route. While this allows you to save some money by sharing the ride cost, one must not forget that they might share a cab with strangers.
Therefore, it becomes important to take some safety precautions when ridesharing.
Read also: Traveling As An Introvert: How to Travel Alone If You Are An Introvert
Ridesharing safety tips.
1. Choose the pickup spot carefully
While booking an Uber or Lyft, you need to specify the place you would like to be picked up from. Make sure you mention a place that is well lit, and one can see other people roaming on the streets. Avoid shady pickup locations as much as possible.
2. Verify your car as well as the driver
When you are waiting at your pickup stop, just don’t step into a cab that comes in front of you and stops. There is a possibility it might not be for you, and this confusion can lead to major consequences.
The best way to avoid this is by confirming the car as well as the driver with the details mentioned on the app. It is important not just to confirm the car but the driver too. Make sure the driver is the one shown in the app only.
3. Sit in the backseat
If you are the first one to get into the car or you are traveling alone, make sure you sit in the back seat. When you do this, you become inaccessible to the driver as he or she won’t be able to reach you.
Apart from this, you also have the advantage of exiting on either side of the road. Not only does this provide you with safety, but you and your driver can stay in their comfort zones.
4. Track your location on your own app, too
In most cases, people commit crimes when they feel that they are safe, and it is not possible to track them. However, if you keep track of your location on your own app also, you know if the driver is taking you to the right destination or not.
Moreover, you can mention the same to the driver that you are keeping track of the location. Once you do this, your driver knows that he is being tracked and might refrain from committing any crime.
5. Ask the driver to follow the traffic rule
One of the most common mistakes passengers make is to get busy with their work after entering the cab. When you do this, the driver feels that he can drive the car the way he wants as you are busy with your work.
Due to this, the driver might take some wrong turns, etc., to save some time. This can possibly put you in trouble if your driver is caught violating the traffic rules. Not only will this lead to a penalty, but it can also lead to accidents in some cases. Therefore, It is important to make sure that your driver follows the traffic rules and drives safely.
6. Avoid Sharing Personal Information
This is something that most of us have been hearing since childhood. When you are in a cab, the driver might initiate a conversation with you, and there is obviously no harm in talking to someone.
However, always keep in mind that you are talking to a stranger. You must avoid sharing personal details that can put you in a troublesome situation in the future.
7. Trust your gut or intuition
Sometimes, trusting your gut can be one of the most important things you can do. At any point during your ride, if you feel that there is something wrong, make sure you take action.
If you notice that the driver is not following the route mentioned in the app or anything else you find suspicious, speak up to the driver. If you still feel that you are not convinced with what’s happening, and your instinct keeps on tingling, you have the option to end the ride there only.
If possible, always share your ride’s details with someone who you feel can reach out to you in case of an emergency. If you are going to meet someone, you can share your details with them too. Doing this will let them know where you are.
Whenever I take an Uber alone, I always tell my husband the license plate number of the car who is going to pick me up. That way, if something happens, he knows where to start the search or investigation.
9. Always give a rating about the ride and driver
Lastly, it is important to give feedback on your ride by writing a review on the app. During your ride, if you face any difficulty due to the driver’s behavior or his actions, make sure you give him a rating accordingly. Doing this will let the company know as to what issues were faced by you, and they can get in touch with the driver. Apart from this, by mentioning the review on the app, you can help other passengers who might book a cab in the future.
Ride with RYDZ
As Miami and Fort Lauderdale’s hottest new rideshare service, RYDZ provides top-tier customer service, an easy-to-use app, and affordable rates. You can even choose between standard and luxury rides. This locally owned and operated rideshare business has a Better Business Bureau A+ rating! It just doesn’t get any better than this. Ride with confidence with Rydz
Rydz is about more than getting from Point A to Point B — it’s about the experience.
Be a Rydz driver
« https://www.rydzgroup.com/drive/
Download the Rydz app (rider)
On a final note…
Ridesharing can surely be a great way of reaching your desired destination while saving some money at the same time. However, while ridesharing can be convenient, do not forget these essential ridesharing safety tips. Use ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft safely.
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Author's Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the company in question before planning your trip.
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Trusting your gut is a biggie because your intuition is perfect.
Ryan
Thanks for these amazing safety tips. I never thought about verifying a driver before jumping on a ride I’m going to share these tips with my friends
Thanks for sharing these awesome tips. I never thought about them and will particularly share your post with my older daughter.
These are such great tips! I hadn’t thought about needing to sit in the back so that I was inaccessible to the driver. Fortunately covid restrictions mean you need to sit in the back anyway now. Thanks!
thanks for the tips…but for now i will choose to drive myself or with family…just for health reason
Really useful great tips shared here, have saved this to keep myself reminded as I do ridesharing quite often to save my daily commuting costing. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
It is good to give a rating as it would help others to choose the service or not. I think getting information and doing the research before ridesharing is essential for a safe journey.
Ride sharing is convenient, but one needs to take care and follow safety norms, and more so when you are in a new place. These are some really sensible safety tips that one should be aware of and take cognizance of.
These are great tips to remember when traveling! I like using rideshare services when traveling so I don’t need a car. And I can’t get lost! Thank you for the reminder!
Great tips. And yes, I do rely on ratings for all sorts of things, and I do appreciate it when people take time to rate service. It helps the rest of us and weeds out the not so good ones. (or helps them improve)
It’s so important that you are dealing with this topic. At the end of the day, you are sharing a tiny space with a total stranger – something you would never do unless you are sharing a ride. That makes you totally vulnerable, so that all your tips should be followed.
I always always check the license plate before getting into a car, it’s really the one tip that gives me peace of mind!
I didn’t know you could rate those uber drivers but have never been in one 🙂
I love these tips. Veryfying driver sounds like a light reminder but so many people just jump on the ride without verifying their driver.
useful post indeed. I always take time to properly rate the driver and call out issues I might be having so it never happens again. I always start my complains with ‘no compensation needed’ if I only want to highlight what I disliked