The vast majority of rides you take in an Uber or Lyft will be wholly uneventful and you will get to your destination without any dramas. However, there are extreme examples of when things have gone badly wrong. Just ask a sexual assault attorney-at-law and they will tell you that this is a scenario that can turn out to be a dangerous liaison.
Safety should always be your number one priority and here are some important things to remember and check before stepping into your Uber or Lyft. When you consider that Uber reported in excess of three thousand incidents of sexual assault in a 12-month period it would be wise to exercise caution.
Here are some key points to keep in mind in order to help you stay safe.
Choose to start your ride from a safe place
A good starting point would be to request your ride from a place that you are comfortable with and offers a good degree of security.
That means choosing a location that is well-lit or a point where you can stay inside until your ride arrives and you can verify the driver’s details.
Be mindful that if you stand on the street with a phone in your hand it makes it obvious that you are waiting for someone or a cab. A potential perpetrator could pretend to be your ride in order to lure you into their car.
Check the details
You should only get into the car and start your journey once you have verified the driver.
Take the time to check the model, license plate details, and driver’s image matches those of the person inviting you to step inside their car.
Don’t volunteer your name to the driver. Instead, ask them to verify who it is they are here to collect so that you can verify that the ride is genuine and what you have asked for.
Choose your seat carefully
It might not be immediately obvious to you but it does make a difference to your safety when choosing which side to sit in the back of the vehicle.
You should always aim to choose the back seat on the passenger side. The reason for this is that it gives you the best vantage point to keep an eye on the driver. This position will also give you the best exit point. It would also be a good strategy to try the door when you get in to ensure that the child lock is not which would mean on and you can’t get out without the help of your driver.
Keep your alcohol levels low
It is never a good idea to take a ride when you are impaired by alcohol.
You may well be taking an Uber or Lyft for the reason that you want to have a drink without worrying about driving, but you are more vulnerable to assault if you are drunk and your defenses are lower than they would be normally.
If you are intoxicated it would be wise to share the ride with a sober friend who can help to look after your interests and make sure you get to your destination safely.
