Is Ride-Sharing Safe?

Ride-sharing changes the way people get from place to place, especially for busy venues or nights out on the town. But is ride-sharing safe?  Passengers recently shot a driver in Mission Bend in Houston. They then carjacked his car. Drivers have also reported being assaulted, spit on and verbally abused.

Passengers have reported incidents of feeling in danger, getting unwanted attention or follow-up activity from their hired driver. And then there are the more serious crimes by drivers who have assaulted (or worse) passengers. Some have also committed violent acts in their personal lives. While the majority of the time using these car services is safe for everyone involved, it is still a good idea to follow safety guidelines.

Safety Tips for Passengers

1. Stay Aware. Many people use ride-sharing services so they can safely enjoy a night out and have a couple of drinks. But too much alcohol may dull awareness, reaction times and make you more vulnerable. You may not notice the driver is taking the wrong route. You may be chatty and reveal personal information you wouldn’t normally share. Sharing a car with a friend helps as does stopping drinking ahead of the time you plan to request a ride.
2. Check Ratings. Always check the reviews of the driver coming to get you. Drivers with consistently low scores will be removed by most companies. However, those with a lot of reviews can survive some low scores due to averaging. Even if it means waiting longer for another driver, don’t get in the car with someone with negative comments that make you uneasy.
3. Put a Stop to it. If at any point during the ride you feel uncomfortable or like you are in danger, stop the ride at the next public place. Then get out of the car.  You can request another car from the new location or call a friend or family member if needed. If the driver will not let you out, call the police.
4. Share with a Friend. Make sure someone else knows where and when you got in the car and who the driver is.  Confirm with them when you make it home safely.
5. Don’t take safety for granted. We assume that people given responsibility have been properly vetted. There has been a lot of coverage of the background check process and fingerprint requirements for drivers. Some states and cities have passed laws with stricter requirements than the current process. The bottom line is don’t let your guard down by assuming the company would only hire the top candidates.
6. Avoid giving your home address when possible. We know this may not be possible in many cases. If there is a business very near to your home or another safe place that you can be picked up or dropped off, consider doing this. Drivers have been known to come back to passengers’ homes, leave notes and harass in other ways.
7. Write a review. If you have a negative experience, share it through the review process so others can avoid the driver.

Safety Tips for Drivers

While ride-sharing companies don’t seem to share statistics on crimes against their drivers, taxi services do track the data. “Taxi drivers are over 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers,” the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in 2010. In a 2014 report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that “of 3,200 taxi drivers who were hurt or killed on the job, 180 sustained injuries caused by a violent person—about 5.6 percent.” (Wired 3/10/16). These numbers point to the need for drivers to take their own precautions.

1. Watch your back. Because passengers ride in the back of the car, drivers are vulnerable to an attack from behind. When faced with a potential threat, many drivers will turn off the car, grab the keys and get out of the vehicle. This protects them from a blind attack if the situation escalates.
2. Avoid the bars. While drivers make money picking up at bars and late-night venues, extremely drunk passengers are more likely to cause issues. Whenever possible, avoid these types of pick ups to prevent belligerent and potentially threatening passengers.
3. Read the reviews. Drivers also review passengers after a trip. If someone has complaints against them that look troublesome, don’t pick them up. Also, write a review on a passenger who misbehaves in your vehicle to warn the next driver.
4. Don’t burn the midnight oil. Again, many drivers go where the money is, and that includes late night calls.  But at night there are fewer people around and the chance of a crime occurring are higher. If possible, work during daylight hours instead.
5. Don’t be an obvious target. Ride-sharing services are cashless by design to deter robberies of drivers carrying money. Keep money and valuables out of your car when you are picking up passengers.

Ride-sharing services are in high demand and are a great convenience when you are traveling or want to go out with friends. Stay alert and trust your instincts to ensure you make it safely to your destination every time!

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