Is Uber Safe for both passenger & driver?

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uber safety feature list

uber safety feature list

Uber is a popular ride hailing service where drivers can earn by driving their own car and passengers can order a trip from almost anywhere. The process is simple; a passenger will order trip through a mobile app and a registered Uber driver will come to take the passenger to their destination. Both driver and passenger are typically unknown to each other. So, what security measures are in place to protect drivers (called Uber partners) and their passengers? We’ll review them in this article. You will see that in many ways, Uber is safer for both drivers and riders than conventional taxi services.

How does Uber ensure rider safety?

New Uber partners initially register through an online form. But Uber approves all of their drivers manually. They check every driver’s background history for crime, drug, car accidents, reckless driving and all other legal issues. No criminals or reckless driver can drive for Uber. They must also have at least a year of driving experience – so you won’t be subjected to your neighbor’s 17-year-old who got his license only last week. Uber partners must also pass a medical exam.

uber safe ride checklist

uber safe ride checklist

Each vehicle must also get approved by Uber’s inspection station or a licensed mechanic before the first trip. Additionally, every car needs to pass an annual inspection to make sure that it is safe to drive & ride.

All trip requests are blindly matched with the nearest available driver on your location. So, there is no discrimination on gender, race, or destination.

After getting matched with a driver, you’ll see his name, photo, rating, and license plate number. So, you know who is coming to pick you. You are even able to contact the driver after the trip if you left something in that car.

uber sos button

Uber India Introduces SOS button

The driver can also contact his prospective passenger (and often does, to confirm pick-up details, for example). However, Uber uses a technology that anonymizes both riders’ and drivers’ phone numbers to keep their contact details confidential. When a rider and driver contact each other regarding a trip, they see a substitute phone number instead of the real one. It’s a great way for both riders and drivers to keep their information private.

After the trip, you can rate the driver and provide anonymous feedback about your ride. Uber reviews all feedback to make their service more reliable and safe.  And, Uber has 24/7 customer support team who are always on the line to respond your questions & compliance issues.

How Uber ensures driver safety

Uber doesn’t allow anonymous persons to make a trip request. Every rider needs to create an account with their name, e-mail address, phone number. So, both you and Uber will know who you’re going to pick up.

Uber logs GPS data for every trip, so they know who you’re driving & where you are going. Besides, the Uber app shows turn-by-turn directions, so you’ll know where to receive the passenger & where to drop him/her safely.

uber safety features

uber safety features

Because all payments are handled through validated credit cards within the Uber app, the driver is protected against non-payment by a passenger. The cashless payment system also means the Uber partner does not need to carry cash, and thus is less of a target for robbery.

Uber’s 24/7 support team who are always ready to respond to your questions or concerns about your driving experience. And, Uber has special incident-response teams to control any emergency safety issues.

A driver can also provide rating & feedback to the rider after completing a trip. Uber ban riders who violate their terms of service. A driver can help Uber to improve their services by giving proper driver feedback.

Conclusion

If you still have hesitation about Uber’s safety, then you can compare them with other taxi/drive sharing services. If you are ready to sign up with Uber, you can use our referral links to get a free ride as a rider or a sign-up bonus as a driver .

Updated: January 25, 2017 — 5:33 pm

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