Using ride sharing services is a very good idea and it can allow you to speed up your day. It’s great to go from one place to another and for a lot of people, it can be a solid source of income. Not only that, but ride sharing services are very convenient and it seems that over 1.7 billion people use them often. That’s why it’s a great idea to ensure that you’re safe when using this type of service. Because while it can be safe, it can also bring in its fair share of concerns. There were plenty of people that were in unsafe situations, some even dealt with harassment, and that’s definitely something to think about.
Preparing for a Safe Rideshare Experience
The idea of entering a ride sharing service is to help you get to a destination fast. However, there are a few things to consider when it comes to using this type of app/service. You can find out guidelines and tips below for more information.
Verify Your Ride
Maybe the best safety measure is to verify your ride and ensure that you know who you are riding it. These ride sharing apps usually show the license plate number, a photo of the driver, and their name. You can also access safety features inside the app. These can be sharing trip details with a trusted contact. Also, the driver won’t get paid until you finish the trip.
Choose Safe Locations
Whenever you request a drop off or pick up, you always want to ensure that those take place in populated areas. It will only ensure that you have access to a great and safe trip. Obviously, you also want to see the current state of the driver and if there are any issues. What you want to do is to avoid entering a car
Staying Safe During Your Ride
Ride Etiquette and Awareness
It’s always important to maintain a very good rider etiquette and make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. You also want to have the GPS active on your phone and ensure that you don’t need to worry about any diverting routes.
And while you do that, it also makes a lot of sense to stay at a safe distance from the driver. The driver could be unpredictable, so it always helps if you make sure that you stay away from them, at a safe distance. That will only ensure you get to avoid any concerns, while saving plenty of time and effort.
Use In-App Features
Apps also offer a variety of safety features, which could help you stay safe as you prevent any issues. On top of that, it’s a great idea to learn how the app works, and how you can get in touch with someone in the case of an emergency. What happens a lot of the time is these ride sharing apps have emergency call buttons that you can use to talk with the people you want. It’s very helpful and effective, and it can deliver a much better experience and value.
Plus, you can also install apps that record video or audio in a discrete manner. It gives you the means to access everything for extra protection, and that will certainly help a whole lot more than expected. You can have proof in case of any harassment or attack, and that will be extremely helpful!
Trust Your Instincts
Needless to say, you need to trust your instincts at all times. Since you never really know what can happen, you do want to be prepared for pretty much anything. And if you approach it in that type of manner, it will be a much better experience. If you feel that there’s a lack of safety or comfort, you can bail on the ride and exit the car as soon as possible. You do want to trust your gut, if the situation is not ok, then you should avoid it entirely.
Rate Your Ride
Rating the ride is a great way to share feedback. That way, other people know more about the driver and they can avoid it, if he is troublesome. If there were issues, all ride sharing apps have a support system where you can report these issues. You will find it easier to let them know if a driver is problematic, so other things won’t happen in the future.
Know Your Rights
Obviously, it’s imperative to always know and understand your rights. That way, you will know exactly if you have a case in court, or if you are entitled to any type of reimbursement. It might not seem like a lot, but it’s definitely going to help to have this knowledge. You do want to contact law enforcement in your area if such an issue arises. And of course, having a legal representative will help a lot. They will make it easy to figure out how to settle the situation and handle it appropriately.
Legal Protections and Compensation Rights
If you dealt with assault or sexual harassment when using a ride sharing service, you can get compensation anywhere from $10000 to $500000. That’s why it’s extremely important to make sure that you work with a legal expert that can offer the support and assistance you want. It will help alleviate any issues, while streamlining the process and ensuring everything is ok. At the end of the day, getting compensated for these issues is your right, and you are entitled to do so.
Additional Safety Tips for Peace of Mind
Aside from that, we have a few other ideas that will help improve your safety when it comes to using ride sharing apps.
- If you want to minimize risks, it’s always a very good idea to travel with other people. As we all know, safety always comes in numbers. Travel with people you trust, and that can be extremely helpful.
- You should never consider sharing any personal details. You want to stay safe and prevent situations when sharing those details could become extremely problematic and something you truly want to avoid.
- It always helps if you carry any safety products, ranging from a personal alarm to pepper spray or anything in that vein, if possible.
- Moreover, you do want to maintain a professional attitude when you are talking with the driver. Disclosing any personal information is also something you want to avoid as much as possible.
Conclusion
While ride sharing can be great, it also has its fair share of challenges. It’s important to always focus on your safety and wellbeing as much as possible. And on top of that, it’s crucial to implement the best safety systems you can. Use the ride sharing app’s own features, and always connect with a legal expert to seek justice in case of assault or any damage.
