When Uber Becomes Dangerous: How to Rideshare Safely

The convenience of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft has made it easier than ever to get from point A to point B. But just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe. If you’re not careful, your Uber ride can take a turn for the worse, and you might find yourself in a troubling situation. Learn how to take the risks of ridesharing seriously, and which tips can help keep you safe. When you think of ridesharing, you probably think about Uber and LYFT first. While these two apps certainly dominate the ridesharing market, they’re not the only ones available for people who want to pay for a ride without using a taxi. Uber and Lyft aren’t set up for long-distance trips, for instance, and some other apps fill that need. Popular ridesharing apps around the world are: When you take a ride with a stranger using a popular ridesharing app, what are some of the most likely things to go wrong? Most ridesharing apps have safety policies or publish tips on how to use their app safely. Read these policies before you start requesting rides: In addition to reading the app’s safety policies, keep these general tips in mind as well: Since 2020, ridesharing safety has included measures for COVID-19 as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has guidelines for driver-for-hire services, and how both passengers and drivers should conduct themselves during a ride. Generally, both drivers and passengers should wear face masks when inside the vehicle. Drivers should avoid picking up multiple passengers who would otherwise not be riding together on the same route as well. Both drivers and passengers should avoid touching their face, eyes, nose, or mouth throughout the ride and aim to disinfect their hands as soon as the journey is over. Ride-hailing apps have revolutionized mobility, allowing people to move across cities and even entire regions affordably. Ridesharing can be dangerous, however, when some people use the apps for bad intentions. By staying on your guard, you can keep away from trouble and continue to use your ridesharing app safely.