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While Rideshare driving has come a long way, it can still be a dangerous job. The threat of robbery and violence is ever present when you are inviting strangers into your car for a living. This article aims to outline our top, most important, safety tips for Uber and Lyft drivers and our recommended strategies to reduce the likelihood of violence during a shift.
An easy and perhaps overlooked tip that greatly increases safety is to always keep your car in well-lit and visible areas when not moving. Keep your inside lights on and do not tint your windows so dark that people cannot easily see inside. Also, make sure you keep your windows free from unneeded signs or postings. Greater visibility into your car can help reduce and deter violence!
The following security features should be installed in every rideshare driver’s car!
Luckily, this tip should be pretty easy for Rideshare drivers (unlike the taxi drivers of old), but one of the most important safety tips is to not carry a lot of cash! Less cash on hand makes you a less likely target for a robbery. If you do have to get your wallet out for any reason make sure cash is not present or easily viewable as you never know who you may be dealing with in your back seat.
Trusting your gut is extremely important as a rideshare driver. If you receive a request in an unfamiliar area or an area you feel uncomfortable with, trust yourself and decline the ride. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
The same goes for if you arrive to pick up a passenger and notice that the passenger seems “off”. It is better to ding your Uber rating than to potentially be put in a risky situation. If you do find yourself in a robbery situation, do not try to resist. Simply give the robber what the desire and call the police as soon as they leave.
And lastly, always verify that your riders name matches the one in the app!
RIDEGURU
Comments
Pepper Spray is good, but hard to get out of your interior and you may never get it all out... it can definitely prevent you from working for a while. I wonder if there is a better alternative.
Having been in three situations with guns.. that I know of... Being shot at (another car), guns in the car (to dangerous to deny the ride,) and a shotgun in the face (pax gave wrong address.) I now trust my gut more... (and do not go in driveways unless verified...)
If I do not like the area, I do not go. Also, I have noticed a lot of 0 mile trips. Don't like that one bit. When I call to verify 1/2 cancel.
Also, when I call and the phone number does not work... that sets me off, I do not feel safe. Most say they could not change the number... Yeah... sure.
Like you said... better to ding your rating than get hurt. But once you are there, if you do not like what you see... you can cancel with out a ding.
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Your tips are very helpful for those who drive and often have to travel by car like us. I look forward to seeing your articles and avatar game in the near future.