How to Stay Safe When Ride-Sharing

From taxis to Ubers, ride-sharing has become an important part of how we get from point A to point B in today’s world. And while the pandemic has put a damper on how many ride-shares are being taken across the world every day, there are still plenty of scenarios in which you might have to take a cab or call an Uber to get to where you need to go. Today we’ll share some of our top ride-share safety tips to not only keep you safe in general, but help you avoid catching COVID-19 if you do have to hop in a cab anytime soon. 

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General ride-share safety tips

These tips on how to stay safe while ride-sharing are generally applicable to all situations, and are good to keep in mind for the next time you find yourself in need of a lift. 

Don’t ride alone if you can

As the old adage goes, there’s safety in numbers. Whenever possible, it’s always a good idea to not travel by taxi or Uber alone – especially at night. If you do have to travel alone, make a point to “share” your trip with a friend or family member via the ride-sharing app. This will allow the other person to see where you are and make sure you reach your destination safely. 

Request your ride inside (if you’re using an app)

To reduce your risk at night especially, request your ride indoors. This will keep you from having to hang out on the street alone while you wait for your ride. 

Always confirm your driver and car before hopping in

This could save your life. Before getting into any strange vehicle, always confirm the license plate number and driver’s name. Also, you can ask the driver to verify your name as passenger. If you’re in a busy area, this will also help you avoid stealing someone else’s ride. 

Ride in the backseat

This one’s pretty basic, but if you have to get out of a sticky situation fast, it’s much easier to do that from the backseat. 

Don’t pay with cash

Ride-sharing apps allow you to pay from the app, so if someone asks you to pay with cash, don’t pull out your wallet. 

Buckle up

Here’s a no-brainer. Always, always use your seatbelt. If an accident were to happen, this could save your life. 

Leave feedback for others

After any ride, it’s always a smart idea to leave a review and give your driver a star rating. Especially if you felt like something was off or felt uncomfortable, you can make sure other people steer clear. 

How to stay safe when ride-sharing during COVID-19

Wear a mask

Whenever you’re not at home, wear a mask. This helps protect both you and your driver. If they’re not wearing a mask, you can report them.

Ask your driver to set the air system to “fresh air”, not recirculation

This will help ensure a constant circulation of fresh air in the vehicle. If it’s not too cold, you can also ask your driver to lower the windows. 

Use hand sanitizer during and after your ride to help stay safe when ride-sharing

After getting in the vehicle, use hand sanitizer to kill any germs you may have encountered when touching the door handle or seat belt. Remember to not touch your face, and use hand sanitizer after exiting the vehicle as well. When you’ve reached your destination, make a point to wash your hands first.