We have made significant steps to improve safety in recent years by making safety a top priority and putting it at the heart of everything we do.

Since last year, we have launched a number of safety products so that during the trip, you feel safe knowing that you can share your trip with your loved ones. There is an emergency number that connects you to law enforcement, and should you need help there is a dedicated safety centre within the app to guide and support you. These features built upon and strengthened some of our core safety offerings such as 24/7 support team, GPS tracking of all trips, and insurance while on the trip.

These advances in safety are important and for them to be effective it starts with the basics – like getting into the right car. That’s why we’re launching a public awareness campaign focusing on the steps people can take to avoid getting into the wrong car or riding with the wrong person. Unauthorized individuals may pose as rideshare drivers and target people who appear to be distracted, trusting you to not verify their details. 

Today we are rolling out Check Your Ride in-app reminders and push notifications to all riders across the six continents where Uber operates, just as we did in the United States in April. Every time you take a trip with Uber, you can make sure you’re getting into the right car with the right driver by matching the license plate, car make and model, and the driver photo with what’s provided in the app.

If the information doesn’t match up, do not get into the car. Go to a safe place and wait for the right car to arrive, or cancel the ride and report it to us. Always report the driver identity fraud to us for safety of future riders as well. In an emergency, or if you feel threatened, contact the police immediately and inform us of the incident when it’s safe to do so.

If you are helping someone request a ride through Uber, who may have had a few drinks or is unfamiliar with the app, help them double check that the driver and the vehicle match the details in the app — before they get in the car.  

Ankit  Gupta, Lead, Sri Lanka, Uber added, “Our goal is to make checking your ride before you get in the car synonymous with using Uber, every single time.  This new notification feature will remind people to complete these three steps every time they get in an Uber. It is another important and visual reminder of the importance we place on safety as well as how tech can make travel safer than ever before.” 

In addition to these steps, you can also ask the driver to confirm your name. Your driver sees your name in their app, and your driver’s name is displayed in your app. To safely exchange names, you can ask, “Who are you here to pick up?” The driver may also ask you to confirm their name (“Who’s your driver?”) for their own peace of mind.

Taking the extra step to double check these details is an important safety measure. Remember that rides can only be requested through the Uber app. If you get into the wrong car, you won’t know who is behind the wheel and neither will we.

SAFETY FEATURES IN THE APP

  • Check Your Ride Push Notifications: We are adding a new push notification to remind riders of the Check Your Ride steps just before their car arrives. The alert will go live today and will progressively roll out nationwide in the days ahead.
  • Check Your Ride In-App Banner: We’re putting a clear message in the app, starting from the moment you get matched with a driver until the moment you start your trip, to remind you how to confirm the right car. We’ll keep this reminder in place for several weeks and initiate it periodically in the future.