Concrete Actions to Avoid Assault
Predatory drivers are out there– and in numbers greater than you think. Almost daily we hear from women with hair-raising, heartbreaking reports of sexual assault, harassment, and intimidation by Uber and Lyft drivers. What have the rideshare companies done to address this issue? Shockingly very little.
Case in point: There were 6,000 incidents of sexual assaults by Uber drivers in 2019 alone – and those were only the reported cases! While Lyft stats are not made public, we can tell from the women contacting us that their track record is horrible, too.
So what to do? We understand that using a rideshare service is essential for many women these days, so we recommend following these proactive safety tips.
Safety Tips for Uber & Lyft:
- Wait for your ride in a safe place. Since apps will tell you exactly where your driver is, you only need to go out and meet them at the last possible minute.
- Always ask “What’s my name?” In this way you can always positively identify your driver. If they’re your actual driver, they will also know your destination.
- Verify the car and driver. Match the make, model, and license plate of the car to what’s listed in the app. Make sure your driver’s personal appearance matches his or her profile in the photo.
- Don’t ride alone. If you can share a ride with a friend, do it. There is strength in numbers– and you can split the cost to boot!
- Check to make sure that the Child Safety Lock is turned off. Do this while you’re getting in and stop the ride immediately if the driver will not turn off the locks.
- Use trip-sharing features. Both Lyft and Uber have in-app trip sharing features that allow you to share live updates on your trip with trusted friends. You can also use apps like “Find My Friends” to keep friends and family posted about your whereabouts.
- Let the driver know that the trip is being tracked. Make a phone call and tell someone that you’re in an Uber/Lyft. If you don’t get an answer or it’s an odd hour, fake it by leaving yourself a voice memo using a script like: “Hey mom, I’m in my Uber now. I’ll be there in about 15 minutes, and yes, I know, you are following me on the app.”
- Sit in the back. That way you can exit on either side of the vehicle and avoid moving traffic. Consider it a red flag if a driver tries to force you into a certain seat.
- Voice your concerns about safety. Simply telling the driver that you care about safety can make the difference in how safely he or she drives.
- Do not share personal information. By keeping your personal information to yourself, you are putting up a boundary. If you need to communicate with your driver about a lost item or a later ride, you can do so via the app without giving out your contact information.
- Trust your gut. If something seems “off” about your driver or car before you get in, walk away. If the drive is in progress, and your instincts tell you something is off, ask to be let off at a public location you see near you. For instance, if you drive by a Target, tell the driver you changed your mind and want to get out there. You also, can reiterate to the driver that the trip is being tracked.
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Your Most Powerful Weapon Is Your Voice. No matter how careful you may have been (or even if you were not careful)! ASSAULT IS NEVER OK and
IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
If you have been threatened or assaulted in an Uber or Lyft contact us through our private form.
You can also text privately here: 424.267.2446
