According to a study from the Pew Research Center, almost 40% of American adults use ride-sharing apps. You’ve likely used ride-sharing apps more than once in your lifetime.
If you have, you might be wondering how to make the rideshare experience better. This guide will offer helpful tips to keep you safe when using ridesharing services. Keep reading to learn what you should know.
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1. Share Your Location
One of the most important rideshare tips to know is that you should always share your location with loved ones. While ridesharing apps do a good job of vetting their drivers, you should always be vigilant about getting into a stranger’s car.
Every time you use a ridesharing service, you should let a friend know where you’re going. This way, your friend can check in if you haven’t arrived at your destination or are taking longer than expected to get there.
Most ridesharing apps let you share your location and your driver’s information with someone straight from their app to make it easy to track your ride and give you peace of mind while you’re in the car.
2. Get Confirmation From Your Driver
You can also make your experience better when you ride Uber or Lyft by getting confirmation from your driver. There have been too many cases of riders getting into the wrong cars when requesting a ride.
You can keep yourself safe and enjoy the ride by making sure the car and driver match the description in the app. Check the car’s make, model, and license plate before getting in.
You can also check to see if the driver’s picture matches what they look like. Ask your driver who they’re picking up so that you’re certain you’re getting into the right car.
3. Take Safety Precautions
There are other precautions you should be taking to ensure rideshare safety. To stay safe while the car’s on the road, always wear your seatbelt.
Sitting in the backseat can reduce the risk of harm if you get into an accident. You should try to avoid sitting in the front to keep yourself safe from a physical attack as well.
While this rarely happens, creating distance between you and the driver can help you get away faster if needed. Opening the backseat door is easier than the passenger door if your driver is trying to keep you from exiting the vehicle.
4. Always Show Respect
You’ll always have a better experience when you’re respectful of everyone around you. This might seem obvious, but it’s something that needs to be emphasized.
The driver is there to perform a service, but greeting them with a friendly demeanor can make for a more enjoyable ride. While you don’t have to talk to your driver while in the car, you can always ask how their day’s going.
If you choose the option to ride with other users, you should also be respectful of them while in the car. You should respect their personal space and belongings while you sit next to them.
5. Ride With Friends
While you can share your location with friends if you have to use a ridesharing service alone, you can also choose to only use the service if you’re with your friends. This can help you feel more at ease when you get into the car.
If you don’t have a friend who can tag along with you, the carpool option is another way to avoid being alone with the driver. You’ll have a better experience using the ridesharing service when you know there’s another friendly face in the car with you.
6. Give Feedback After a Ride
As a rideshare passenger, you might have a few grievances or good experiences you want to talk about. You can share these with the ridesharing service after every trip.
Sharing your experience will help improve future rides for you and other passengers. Rating your trip will help identify any problem drivers or boost good ones.
If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable during a trip, you should report that to the ridesharing service right away. They will take the necessary steps to ensure that doesn’t happen to you again.
You have the power to improve your experience with the ridesharing service. Take your chance to make it better!
7. Learn How to Handle Emergencies
While there are precautions you can take to keep yourself safe from suspicious drivers, you can’t always avoid accidents while on the road.
This will always be out of your hands, especially since you’re not the one driving the car. The best way to prepare for an emergency, like a car accident, is with knowledge.
You should call emergency services as soon as an accident occurs. You should also take photos of the damage and any injuries that occur. Contact an Uber & Lyft accident lawyer as soon as you’re able to.
They will know what steps to take when you’re involved in a car accident as a rider with one of these services. Being equipped with this information will grant you peace of mind while you’re on the road in someone else’s car.
Make the Rideshare Experience Great With These Tips
You can make the rideshare experience better for yourself and other riders by following the tips provided in this guide. Take care of your safety by telling a friend where you’ll be going. You should also know what to do in case of a car accident.
Check out some of the other blogs on our site to learn more helpful tips whether you need legal advice or want to learn how to improve user experience with the services you use.