Ten Ways to Stay Safe When Utilizing These Services Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2020 @ 1:38 PM We know our residents, especially those without their own vehicles, rely heavily on ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft for a multitude of reasons. Below are some of the most important safety tips to consider when utilizing these services. Be sure to follow these important actions to help you and your friends stay safe while ridesharing. 1. Plan ahead. Before you request a ride, think about where you’re headed and review the safety features in the app so you know how to use them. 2. Request your ride inside. Avoid spending unnecessary time outside alone with your phone in your hand. Instead, wait indoors until the app shows your driver has arrived. 3. Check your ride. Before you get in the car, check that the driver, car, and license plate all match what’s listed in the app. Uber and Lyft rides can only be requested through the app, so never get in a car with a driver who claims to be with the ridesharing company and offers a ride. 4. Follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. Most ridesharing apps have specific health and safety guidelines for protecting you and your driver from COVID-19. Be sure to review these before requesting your ride to ensure you are equipped to follow them and that your driver is doing so as well. 5. Be a backseat rider. If you’re riding alone, sit in the backseat. This ensures you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic, and it gives you and your driver some personal space. 6. Buckle up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that seatbelt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries related to car accidents. 7. Share your trip details with a friend. Most ridesharing apps have the option to share your trip details with a trusted contact or friend. While on the way, be sure to utilize this feature to share information about your driver, car, and location. They can track your trip in real time and verify if you have arrived safely. If the app does not have this feature built in, you should still take steps to manually share these details with a trusted person to ensure your safety. 8. Protect your personal information. There’s no need to share your phone number or other contact information with your driver. If a rider and driver need to contact each other, the ridesharing app should automatically anonymize both phone numbers to protect everyone’s privacy. 9. Follow your intuition. Trust your instincts and use your best judgment when riding. If you ever feel you’re in an emergency situation, call 9-1-1 immediately. 10. Give feedback on your trip. Your feedback helps improve the ridesharing experience for everyone. Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have support teams which review feedback and follow up with appropriate action on any reports of conduct that violate their community guidelines. Back