Rideshare Danger: Myths, Facts, and Safety Tips for Riders

Your car’s in the shop and you have an appointment, or you have had too much to drink when you are out alone. What do you do? The increasingly popular thing to do is call an Uber or Lyft for a ride that is presumably supposed to get you safely to your destination. Although the integrity of the driver is taken for granted, and even though Uber claims that more than 99% of its billions of trips annually worldwide are uneventful, the percentage that go wrong mean thousands of scenes in the backseat after a driver veers from the route and parks in the dark.

Myths About Rideshare Dangers

Rideshare dangers certainly exist, but myths and rumors abound. Some common myths about rideshare dangers are as follows:

Rideshare drivers undergo thorough background checks.
Rideshare companies are fully liable for accidents.
Passengers taking rideshares are safe from sexual violence.

Rideshare drivers do in fact undergo background checks, however, those checks may not be thorough and could certainly be more comprehensive. Uber and Lyft both began doing continuous background screening for drivers in 2019, but the process has become more resolute. Uber’s hiring protocol was recently compared to a no-fly zone with executives claiming 500,000 prospective drivers had failed to pass the screening process in 2019-2020 and more than 80,000 had since been removed from the app based on information in criminal background checks.

Rideshare companies being fully liable for rideshare accidents is a myth and not true. Their drivers are independent contractors and not employees. Therefore, questions arise about who bears responsibility for accidents.

It is a myth and not true that passengers are completely safe from sexual violence on rideshares. Many thousands of sexual assaults have occurred in rideshares, and unfortunately, many assaults go unreported. According to a report dated February 2024, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that Uber had reported 2,826 assaults and Lyft had reported 1,807 assaults in 2019.

Passengers and drivers alike are impacted by the myths listed above. For example, a passenger becomes concerned before booking a ride that the drivers are not properly vetted, and drivers do not feel honestly represented during the background check process. Having an accident especially impacts the driver and passenger as there are questions concerning who bears the responsibility after an accident, the independent contractor driver or the rideshare company. Passengers and drivers should also be made aware that sexual assault can occur during a rideshare.

Facts About Rideshare Safety

Because many people across the country use ridesharing services, advocacy groups and others have raised questions about the safety of these services, as both drivers and passengers have experienced violence. The U.S. Government Accountability Office conducted an in-person survey and found that ridesourcing offers pre-trip safety features in digital applications (app), other in-app safety features, and in-vehicle safety features and either require or allow drivers to use a security camera during trips.

Respondents in the in-person survey were most likely to consider two pre-trip, in-app features—license plate number and driver name and picture — as very important to their safety. More than 90 percent of respondents were aware of at least one in-vehicle safety feature, such as a vehicle decal.

Rideshare companies have numerous safety measures in place, such as:

• Background checks, although not thorough enough;

• Names of drivers deactivated over the most severe safety incidents, including sexual assaults, are shared between Uber and Lyft;

• Uber and Lyft agreed to publish safety reports every two years;

• Uber’s in-app safety features, including capability to videotape the entire trip, 9-1-1 panic button, ability to contact a live ADT security agent if it is sensed something is off, and Rapid SOS (remote route tracking sensors);

• Lyft has added an emergency button that connects one to a live ADT agent who can then call 9-1-1, if necessary.

Tips for Ensuring Your Safety While Using Rideshares

There are guidelines passengers should use to ensure their safety while using rideshare service. Some excellent tips are:

Request your ride from indoors. Avoid lingering outside alone while looking down at your phone.
Check your driver’s rating. Be sure that your driver has prior experience and a good rating.
Share your trip with a trusted friend or family member. Share your whereabouts with someone other than who you’re with so they know when you make it home safely.
Confirm the car, license plate and driver before getting in. Be sure the information on your rideshare app about your driver matches the vehicle you get into.
Sit in the back seat. Sitting in the front seat increases your proximity and chance of contact with the driver.
Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts are there to protect you in the event of an accident. Buckle up.
Keep your personal information confidential. There’s nothing wrong with conversing with your driver, just plan to leave your personal information out of the conversation.
Never pay cash. Taking out your wallet to tip may put you at risk of theft. Uber and Lyft offer the ability to tip through their app.
Know your surroundings. When you’re in an unfamiliar area, track your route on your own map to be sure the driver is taking you to the correct place.

Before the Ride

Following the guidelines listed above can help you stay safe after calling a rideshare company for a ride. BEFORE entering the vehicle, you are encouraged to check the driver’s profile and vehicle information. Also, WAIT FOR YOUR RIDE in a safe, well-lit area, especially at night.

During the Ride

Riding in a rideshare vehicle should be a pleasant and safe experience. However, it is important to always sit in the back seat and to keep your phone handy in case of an emergency.

Both Uber and Lyft’s guidelines require that children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on the ride. Of course, there are times that underage riders call for a ride anyway. Any rideshare driver who picks up a minor willingly could be a predator. If a child is a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, there are some ways that a predator can be detected and children should be warned that a predator:

Gives praise or flattery;
Offers gifts or money
Uses manipulative language;
Pushes physical and sexual boundaries – seemingly innocent touches;
Expresses jealousy and controlling behavior;
Tells the child to keep secrets.

If a child feels uncomfortable during the ride, the child should immediately use the Uber’s in-trip Emergency Button on the app:

Click on the blue safety shield;
Tap Emergency Assistance – marked with a red alarm;

If you need emergency assistance during a LYFT ride, you can now request help directly from the app:

Riders can request help discreetly by tapping ‘Alert 911 silently’ in the app.
A member from ADT will then contact law enforcement to share your location details. You won’t be contacted by phone unless requested.

Uber provides an additional safety measure of tracking your route. As soon as you leave the pickup spot, customers can see your route and location through the Uber app. Customers also get an alert when you are about to arrive.

In Case of Emergency

We all hope an emergency situation never occurs, especially when we are in the backseat of a stranger’s car. Fortunately, the rideshare companies most used, Uber and Lyft, have implemented measures, finally, in their apps that enable riders to get help immediately.

If you feel unsafe during a ride:

Trust your instincts;
Use the in-app emergency button to call authorities;
Ask the driver to stop the vehicle and let you out early;
Document what you can;
File a police report;
Report the incident to Uber or Lyft.

Reporting an incident may be difficult, however, passengers should always report their safety concerns or incidents to the ridesharing company and the local authorities. The driver and the company need to be held accountable.

Of course, there are many other situations women find themselves in, such as workplaces, doctor’s offices, the entertainment industry, and sports where those in authority abuse the trust they’ve been given. Feeling safe wherever a woman is at any given moment should always be a priority.

Importance of Educating and Empowering Passengers

As popularity and need for rideshare services increases, the public is encouraged to educate themselves on rideshare safety. It is important to be aware of your surroundings. Know how to use the emergency app in case of an emergency. Trust your instincts and speak up if you feel something is not right.

Please remember that you have the power to make informed decisions and ensure your safety when using rideshares. Systems are in place to assist you. Do not be intimidated by the driver or what someone might think. Sexual assault during a ride in a rideshare vehicle should never happen, but if it does, be prepared and be empowered.

Separating Myth From Fact About Rideshare Danger