“Is ridesharing safe?” This is a question that many travelers ask themselves before hopping into a stranger’s car.
While it’s understandable to have concerns about safety when using ridesharing services, it’s important to note that there are various measures in place to ensure your security.
In fact, ridesharing has become one of the safest and most convenient ways to explore new and unfamiliar destinations.
So, if you’re planning on embarking on a new adventure, here’s what you need to know about ridesharing safety so you can make the most out of your experience.

CONTENTS โ In this article, you will learn the answer to the asked question, “Is ridesharing safe?” – including:
- Practical Safety Tips for Ridesharing
- What is Ridesharing?
- Common Rideshare Service Safety Standards
- General Rideshare Safety Tips
- Preparing for Rideshare Accidents
- Final Thought on Is Ridesharing Safe?
- Next Steps
Practical Safety Tips for Ridesharing
Planning on exploring somewhere new and unfamiliar?
Ridesharing services are an effective and popular method billions of travelers use to reach their desired destinations across the globe.
Accessible from just the tap of your smartphone, ridesharing has transformed the availability and ease of traveling in ways that wouldnโt have been possible just years ago.
Read more to learn about what rideshare services are, the safety standards rideshare companies follow, and how to maximize your own safety with a few helpful tips.
What is Ridesharing?

Ridesharing is a rapidly expanding service that coordinates your transportation on short notice. Most people are familiar with ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft.
Their easy smartphone apps connect riders with drivers. Through the app, you can schedule rides, receive live driver location updates, and pay all in one place.
This provides a convenient alternative to taxi cabs and public transportation. As its popularity grows, ridesharing continues to expand and become more available in cities and towns around the world.
Through the use of the smartphone app, rideshare services provide quick and accessible global travel, They have enabled billions of successful trips for their riders!
But let’s address the real question here: Is ridesharing safe? If you have been hesitant to use ridesharing services, the following may help allay your fears.
Related: Best Apps for Travel Guaranteed to Improve Your Trip
Common Rideshare Service Safety Standards
Both Uber and Lyft outline specific safety standards for their drivers and users in order to ensure the quality and success of your ride on each of their platforms.
Driver background checks are ongoing within both platforms to monitor criminal offense or other reasons that qualify for driver deactivation. Also, they perform multi-step background checks on an annual basis to ensure drivers are up to Uber and Lyftโs standards.
Real time tracking uses GPS and route checks to monitor the status of your driverโs vehicle throughout your trip and check in with you if anything unusual occurs in order to provide assistance.
Privacy and protection keeps your phone number and personal information anonymous when communicating with an Uber or Lyft driver via their respective apps.
Emergency help is easily accessible on each platform through 24/7 incident support at Uber or Lyft safety support with ADT security professionals and safety team members available.
Insurance coverage is applicable for both Uber and Lyft trips that vary in coverage depending on if the app is in use and if your driver is either en route or during the trip. Otherwise, when the app is offline your personal insurance coverage will apply.
Womenโs Safety is something rideshare services have prioritized. For example, Uber has partnered with womenโs safety groups and developed safety initiatives and features to prevent incidents of misconduct.
General Rideshare Safety Tips | Is Ridesharing Safe?

Along with the proactive measures that popular rideshare services take to ensure the safety of their platformโs experience, here are a few help tips you should follow to maximize your safety as a rideshare passenger:
1. Avoid Waiting Outside
In order to limit your vulnerability and exposure as someone waiting for a rideshare vehicle, especially at night, you’ll want to avoid waiting outside. Wait indoors with a view to the street, instead.
2. Double Check the Vehicle and Driver
When your ride approaches, double check the vehicle and driver. Match the make, model, and license plate number to the information shared within your rideshare app. You’ll get this information once the trip has been confirmed.
3. Check Your Driver
Ask your driver who they are picking up, because verified drivers have access to their passengerโs name in the rideshare app. Also, take the time to double check their face matches their profile image listed on their Uber or Lyft profile.
4. Sharing Locations
Use the sharing locations features on the Uber or Lyft app to forward your location and trip info to a friend. This provides additional safety and security throughout each ride.
5. Ride In The Back Seat
Take your seat in the back when you get in the car. This maintains a comfortable amount of space from the driver, while also ensuring your ability to safely exit the vehicle if needed.
6. Avoid Oversharing With Drivers
You might be tempted to chat with your driver along the ride – and friendliness is usually welcome. However, avoid oversharing with drivers. Uber and Lyft ensure your personal information, bank account, and cell phone number stay private. They also protect your home address if you avoid a drop-off directly to your residence. It’s just as well you keep those private details to yourself.
7. Be an Active Passenger
On your ride, stay alert to your surroundings so you’re an active passenger. And, always follow your instincts if something feels off by canceling your ride or using the emergency app features to contact help.
8. Buckle Up
Whenever you use a ridesharing service, be sure to buckle up. You want to make sure your seatbelt is fastened as an effective way to ensure your safety and reduce your risk of serious injury.
9. Fake a Call
If youโre feeling uncomfortable because youโre riding alone, or you just get a creepy vibe, make a a fake phone. You can place a pretend call (that your driver will hear) to your Mom, boyfriend, or friend to tell them you just shared your location an will meet them shortly. Or, jump on the TikTok trend and play an audio of a fake incoming phone call conversations checking your whereabouts. This reminds the driver that your location is being tracked.
10. Provide Feedback About Your Trip
Once you’ve completed your ride, you’ll want to provide feedback about your trip. This is the time to report any issues that may have occurred. Doing so can help rideshare servicess address any issues and potentially follow up.
Preparing for Rideshare Accidents

Anytime you drive or ride in a car, there is the risk of a car accidents. Ridesharing is no different in that regard.
But, rideshare accidents can be especially confusing and a difficult situation to handle as a passenger.
Proving liability in rideshare accidents works similarly to other vehicle accidents. It’s important to prepare yourself for different events and understand how to conduct yourself if your driver is at fault — however unlikely an accident may be.
Following these precautionary steps will help prove your driverโs liability and involvement in the accident and protect your rights as a passenger:
Contact emergency medical providers to assess your injuries and ensure you get the treatment you need following an accident. The sooner you seek treatment for your injuries related to the accident the better, state laws may limit your ability to receive compensation if this isnโt done within a specific timeframe.
Collect evidence at the scene including photos and a description of the accident that can help any legal case by presenting facts relevant to any insurance claim. This can also include police reports, your driver’s information, and any medical documents.
Withhold formal statements with insurance providers that the driver may ask for on their behalf. Along with signing an insurance document or admitting fault, this can negatively affect your ability to receive compensation.
Consult legal advice before signing any insurance documents or formal statements in order to fully analyze all the available information you have collected. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer should help guide you through the legal process and navigate confusing state laws and accident details.
Travel accidents do happen. Knowing these tips may come in handy (but we hope you don’t need to use them)!
Final Thought on Is Ridesharing Safe?
Now that you know all about ridesharing safety, you also know that, yes — ridesharing is safe.
As an informed passenger, you should feel confident safely traveling to your rideshare destinations. Millions of people rideshare everyday, and it’s a great way to get around!
By taking your own precautionary safety steps, while taking advantage of the safety standards and features popular rideshare companies have in place, you can be confident in your ability to reach your destination safely.
Next Steps
To learn more about transportation and travel safety, read the articles below, next:
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- What Are The Best Safety Tips for Summer Vacation? [2023]
- Consider These Important Advantages of Public Transportation While Abroad
- 3 Easy Ways to Ease Anxiety About Traveling Alone in a New Place
- Travel Like a Pro: 10 Best Travel Tips to Save Time, Money & Stress
- 7 Excellent Ways to Travel Without Flying
- How to Attract Tourism To Your City By Improving Transportation Services