Practical Rideshare Safety Lessons Passengers Should Follow

Rideshare services are more popular than ever as they ease and economize commutes. You need not stress about long drives, heavy traffic, and parking woes while commuting to and from work daily. The best part is that you can book a ride in a few clicks and have it waiting at your doorstep within minutes. While everything about these services sounds great, you cannot overlook the other side of the picture.

Passengers encounter delays, missed rides, and technical glitches while using the booking app. Reckless driving, accidents, and assault by drivers are more serious concerns as they can compromise your safety. As a passenger, you must understand these risks and prioritize safety while making the most of rideshare services. The good thing is that a little caution can help you get the best of both worlds. Here are some practical safety lessons that passengers can rely on.

Book your ride from a safe place

Rideshare apps give you the freedom to choose your location and destination but think twice before hitting the click button. You must use common sense and ensure booking from a safe place. For example, parking lots are not the safest places to wait for your cab. Besides the risk of encountering a burglar, you may fall prey to an unscrupulous driver looking to take advantage of the situation. Always choose crowded and well-lighted spots to start and end your trips. A driver will probably not try anything in such areas, even if they have malicious intentions.

Check driver reviews

The good thing about ridesharing apps is that they offer essential information about the driver. You can see personal details and riding history in-app before embarking on the journey. It is easy to dig deep and know more by checking passenger reviews. The best part is that you can rely on these reviews and ratings because they come from people who have personal experience commuting with the said driver. You have the option to cancel the ride if the driver does not seem credible enough. Additionally, rideshare services deactivate drivers with low ratings, so you can trust them for putting you in safe hands.

Know how to handle an accident

Accidents may happen anytime and anywhere, even when you are in a rideshare vehicle. You should know your rights as a passenger if you sustain injuries due to the negligence of your driver. Like any other mishap, you can hold the negligent driver responsible and claim compensation for your injuries and damage. But you need to hire a team of rideshare accident lawyers to represent you because claiming compensation in such cases can be tricky. An expert can get you the rightful claim value that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But everything boils down to proving that the driver was negligent, and the rideshare company will try to refute it.

Raise a red flag

While you must report mishaps sooner than later, do not hesitate to raise a red flag against poor and unsafe driving. Ask the driver to pull over if you see them driving too fast, swerving, or breaking the rules. Nothing else matters when it comes to saving your life, so be quick to end the ride. Remember immediately to report unsafe behavior and practices on the app. Providers are quick to weed out untrustworthy drivers. Your feedback can save lives and spare another passenger the stress of a harrowing experience with a negligent driver.

Never ride when impaired or intoxicated

Reporting unsafe driving practices should be a priority, but you cannot go slack with safety as a passenger. Impaired or intoxicated riding can be as risky as drunk or distracted driving, so commit to avoiding such situations. You can stay at a friend's place after a party when you are drunk and high. Alternatively, ask a friend to drop you off or accompany you on the ride. Share the ride details with a friend or loved one so that they can track your location and report if something appears amiss. The in-app features make it possible, so be sure to use them every time you book a cab.

Rideshare safety is crucial, whether you commute to the next block or book a long ride. Mishaps may happen, despite the best efforts by providers to ensure passenger safety and well-being. You must choose your driver, location, and rides cautiously because your life depends on these factors. Also, follow these practical safety rules to ensure safe and comfortable joy rides around the town.