These days, it’s nearly impossible to miss. Every single person you know has probably driven or rode in an Uber or Lyft. The convenient services have quickly taken over the personal public transportation market.

While some governments and all taxi companies despise said services, the market has spoken. Ridesharing is here to stay. While Uber has been having issues, the company’s market share is beyond impressive, and they’re making a lot of money.

The question is no longer whether ridesharing services are here to stay, it’s whether they’re safe. For the most part, driving or riding in an Uber is not an issue, but we always want to be precautious. So, let’s take a look at a few rideshare safety tips.

 

What is Ridesharing?

Ridesharing is using a service like Uber or Lyft to move around a city. The services work through an app on the phone and function like a taxi service.

With ridesharing, you have drivers and ridesharers. Ridesharers are basically paying customers looking to get from point A to point B. The driver is the owner of the car who helps the sharer get where they want to.

 

Safety Tips for Passengers

If you plan to use a rideshare service, you’ll want to follow these safety tips below:

 

• Always Double Check

On Uber and Lyft, you will receive the name, photo, and license plate of your driver once you accept the ride. Always double check all three things before getting into the car of any driver. There have been stories of people posing as rideshare drivers.

 

• Check the Rating

Next, you’ll want to make sure the driver you’re getting picked up by has a high rating. All rideshare services have systems in place to rate drivers and passengers. If the driver that is about to pick you up doesn’t have a good rating, cancel and get a new car. It’s not worth the risk.

 

• Always Ride in Back

You should never sit in the front of a rideshare car. This puts you in a vulnerable position – if the driver wanted to cause you some harm. By sitting in the back behind the driver, you’ll have the most leverage in case anything were to go wrong. While it’s exceptionally rare that a driver would attempt to cause you harm, this seating gives you the best chance to help protect yourself if something bad were to happen.

 

• Drinking Too Much

Of the few instances where things went wrong in an Uber, most all of the passengers were quite drunk. Using these services as a “DD” is a great idea. Just don’t get in, make a huge mess of the car, and think everything will be ok. Also, in situations where you’ve been drinking a lot, it’s better to not ride home alone.

 

• No Cash

Cash is not used to pay in Uber or Lyft. If your driver recommends or mentions a cash payment, then end the ride immediately and get out. The driver is trying to scam you, so you should report them to Uber immediately.

 

Safety Tips for Drivers

Passengers aren’t the only ones who have to stay safe while in an Uber. Drivers need to take precautions themselves, too. Here are a few safety tips for drivers:

 

• Get a Mount for the Phone

As an Uber or Lyft driver, passengers expect to be driven in a safe manner. This means no phone calls or texting while the passenger is in the car. The best way to keep things safe is to mount your phone on the windshield with some type of suction cup device or magnet. This will allow you to keep your eyes on the road while still seeing where you need to go.

 

• Recommend Buckling Up

It’s illegal to not buckle your seatbelt in most states. So always make a friendly recommendation to have riders buckle up – if they haven’t already. This reduces risks for both you and your riders in case anything happens.

 

• Ask Riders to Sit in the Back

By sitting in the back, the rider will have more personal space. You will, too. This is beneficial. As well, the backseat gives your rider an easy way to exit either side of the car. Important in big cities with oncoming traffic.

 

Staying Safe While Ridesharing

Ridesharing is here to stay. For most, the service offers a lot of value and convenience. If you’re planning to use the service or make some money driving, use the safety tips above to ensure you have a great overall experience.