7 Safety Tips for Riding Alone in an Uber or Lyft in California

When using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft in California, it’s important to take a few necessary safety precautions, and not just to be safe in case of a car accident. Uber accidents can happen to anyone, and with a responsible rideshare driver, you are at just as much risk as driving yourself. But some of the most horrifying Uber and Lyft related disasters are what happens when a rider travels alone without taking precautions to keep themself safe from the driver themselves. Riders have been picked up by the wrong car and kidnapped or attacked by their registered Uber or Lyft drivers in extreme circumstances.

Men and women, young and old, riding alone means you should show the same kind of caution as accepting a ride home from a friend-of-a-friend who you don’t know personally. Some things are just common sense, but there’s also a procedure you can go through specifically for Uber and Lyft to make sure you are as safe as possible.

Step 1: Text a Friend

Between ordering your ride and your driver arriving, text a friend. Text three friends if you’re not sure your best friend is awake or checking their phone. Let them know that you’re getting an Uber and how long to wait before expecting to hear from you again. This is sort of like the safe-date policy. If your friend doesn’t hear that you’ve arrived safely in a reasonable amount of time, they’ll know to alert the authorities.

This is a smart safety step just in case you run into a personal problem with the driver or your Uber car gets into an accident and you are unable to send your second text.

Step 2: Check the License Plate

When a car arrives that you think is your Uber, don’t just get in. Your Uber order will tell you the license plate of the car you’re expecting. Only get into a car with the exact same license plates. If the driver says they’re using another car that day, cancel the ride and call a new one with matching plates.

Step 3: Check the Driver

Next, check the photo and name of the driver. Look at the driver and make sure it appears to be the same person. Then ask the driver’s name. Do not say “Are you Steven?”, ask their name. If they say the correct name and have the correct appearance, get in. If not, cancel the ride and order another.

Step 4: Get into the Backseat & Buckle Up

Don’t get into the front seat. A surprising number of passengers have been assaulted by sitting too close to the driver. We advise riders alone get into the back passenger-side seat so that you are the furthest from the driver and secure in a real buckling seat. Then buckle up. The seatbelt will keep you safe in the event of an accident.

Step 5: Say You Are Expected at Your Destination

Don’t share your personal information with the driver. Do tell the driver that someone is waiting for you at your destination. Even if you’re going home to an empty house, being expected will make it less likely for a driver to be tempted to attack or kidnap you. It sounds dramatic, but it happens more often than anyone would care to admit.

Step 6: Share Your Trip with the Same Friend

In your app, there is an option to share your trip with a friend. Share. It doesn’t matter with who, as long as they are awake and care about your safety. They can see your trip, your driver, and your ETA (estimated time of arrival) without downloading the app. This gives you an extra line of defense and makes being expected digitally real.

Step 7: Keep Your Phone Ready to Call 911

Finally, keep your phone in your hand and on the dial page. Be ready to call 911 at any moment. Whether you are in an accident or if the driver gives you a reason to be afraid, being ready to call 911 will ensure that the police will be on their way ASAP. If you start to get a bad feeling, quietly dial 911 and keep your thumb over the call button.

Rideshare accidents happen, both car wrecks and disasters between drivers and riders. If you have been in an Uber or Lyft accident, whether or not it is related to a driver attacking you, please contact us today.