We recognize that every time you open your Uber app, you’re putting your trust in us—to not only get you where you need to go, but to also help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Over the past 3 years, we’ve introduced new safety features, including an in-app emergency button; strengthened our driver background check and screening processes; and made investments in new technologies to help improve the safety of the platform. And that’s just the start of our commitment to safety.
Read more below about new technologies Uber is developing that will continue to raise the bar on safety, complement our existing features, and help set the standard for the rideshare industry.
What’s new in safety from Uber
Verify Your Ride: To make sure you get in the right car, you’ll soon be able to choose to receive a unique 4-digit PIN to verbally provide to the driver. The driver will only be able to start your ride in the app once the correct PIN has been entered. We’re also developing new technology that will use ultrasound waves to automatically verify that you’re in the right car, no PIN needed.
On-trip reporting: Beginning with select markets, you’ll no longer have to wait until after you get out of the car to report a problem to Uber. Soon, riders will see a Report Safety Issue option in their Safety Toolkit (the blue shield icon) that will let them report a safety issue during their trip. Uber’s Safety team will follow up after the trip.
Text to 911: Last year, we added an emergency button in the Uber app to connect riders and drivers directly to 911 in case of an emergency. Now we’re adding an option to send a text to 911 in cities and counties that support this technology. We’ll automatically draft a text that includes trip details like the car’s make and model, license plate, and location to help 911 operators respond quickly.
Improved Real-Time ID Check: In 2016, we announced Real-Time ID Check, which helps ensure that the driver behind the wheel matches the account in our system. We started with basic selfies, and this new enhancement prompts a driver to perform a random series of basic movements—blinking, smiling, and/or turning their head—to add another layer of security.
Bike lane alerts: By the end of October, riders in more than 200 cities around the world should receive an in-app notification when they’re being dropped off near a bike lane. We think this reminder will help make sure riders are looking out for cyclists before they open the door, which can improve safety for everyone.
Uber’s safety basics on every trip
These new innovations in rideshare safety from Uber complement what we’ve already put in place to help make safer journeys for everyone:
- All drivers are background checked before their first trip. Before anyone can drive with Uber, they must undergo a multistep safety screen, including being checked for driving violations, impaired driving, violent crime, and other checks. In addition, Uber rescreens drivers every year and uses technology to look for issues in between.*
- There’s emergency help if you need it. In addition to our latest announcement about Text to 911, if you call 911 from the Uber app, the app displays your live location and trip details, so you can share them with the emergency dispatcher. And in a growing number of US cities, this information is automatically provided to the authorities.
- We’ve built technology to look out for you. By using sensors and GPS data, RideCheck can help detect if a trip goes unusually off-course or if a possible crash has occurred. If we notice anything out of the ordinary, we’ll reach out to provide you with the tools you need to get help.
- There’s auto insurance to help protect you. We work with leading auto insurance providers to help protect riders and drivers on the Uber app. Uber maintains commercial auto insurance in case of a covered accident, including at least $1 million in liability insurance on behalf of our driver-partners once a trip is accepted.
- You have our support, whenever you need it. Uber support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is handled by a team of trained safety agents. If you’re in immediate danger, you should always contact authorities first.
- Your personal details stay private. We use technology to help keep your phone number private, so neither drivers nor riders will see each other’s numbers when communicating through the Uber app. Once a trip is completed, the app also protects rider information by concealing specific pickup and dropoff addresses in a driver’s trip history.
Learn more about Uber’s approach to safety.
Screenshots may differ from your in-app experience. The material provided on this web page is intended for informational purposes only and may not be applicable in your country, region, or city. It is subject to change and may be updated without notice.
*The information on this page only applies to the United States. Annual driving history reruns do not apply in NYC.
Posted by Uber Safety team
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