According to ConsumerNotice.org, thousands of people experience assaults during taxi rides, including sexual assault and personal injury. This results in multiple lawsuits filed against rideshare companies.
Information from Uber shares that they have received 3,824 reports of sexual assault in 2019 and 2020. More than half of those reports are made by passengers. Lyft provides similar data for 2019, with1,807 sexual assaults reported.
One of the problems with rideshare companies is that they fall short from hiring and screening of their drivers, and often avoid liability through their non-employee status with the drivers (they drivers are independent contractors). But the threat can also come from fellow-riders when carpooling.
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While there are various ways in which to call for in-the-moment support using the app in-built features, reporting a rideshare assault to the company and filing a police report, we really need to think about precautions we should all take while using rideshare services.
10 Safety Measures for You
Screen the driver's details. Most driveshare apps have the feature of screening the driver's details. Some of them include looking at the driver's rating (how other customers have rated them), and checking reviews from previous passengers. The reviews can give you insight into any red flags, including reports of drivers riding under the influence, driving too fast, making inappropriate comments, etc. Make sure that the driver you pick has good rating and no suspicious comments in their reviews.
Where possible, digitally share your ride with family or friends. Certain rideshare apps have a tracking/share feature, and if they don't, you can share your location with a chosen contact by using another app on your phone. For example, you can use Waze (a popular app for drivers) to share your live location with your chosen contacts, and they will be kept up to date with your real-time location status.
Avoid using car - pools. Unless you have someone trusted you can ride with, which can add an extra layer of security, car pooling can be a nuisance, as your fellow rider(s) may end up harassing you and when seated right next to you, can make you feel uncomfortable or even unsafe. Many intoxicated fellow riders can try and chat you up, making inappropriate comments or even worse, engaging physically. If you trust the driver more than the customer, change your seat to the front seat.
Always have your phone fully charged. The best option here is to use a power bank to charge your phone when you're losing battery. If that is not available, you can ask the driver to plug your phone to the USB port (most taxis have these) BUT: ALWAYS keep your cell close to you - don't give it to the driver. This will ensure that you can contact emergency services when needed.
Activate mobile data and roaming services. Especially when travelling in a foreign country, ensure that you have mobile data and roaming activated in case you need to use your phone for emergency purposes.
Listen to your instincts. If something is OFF about the driver, your fellow rideshare passenger (when carpooling), or the taxi itself, don't get in. Use an excuse to cancel the ride, or simply walk away. If you're already riding in the car, change the end location to somewhere nearby, or simply ask the driver to stop the car and leave the vehicle before your end location. Ideally, ask them to stop the car in a crowded, well-lit area where you can get help or order a new taxi.
When probed, be confident and assertive. Many times harassers will probe before they engage physically. This is often referred to as an 'interview stage' of harassment, when the potential assailant will be screening you for vulnerability traits. Use a firm and confident tone of voice with strong statements such as 'I am not going to tolerate this behaviour', 'I am not interested', 'This ends now or I call the police', etc. to show them that you're not an easy target. Use your voice to threaten the attacker, inform them that you have contacted emergency services and that help is on the way, as the police are tracking you.
Be ready to call the emergency services. When you feel in danger, use the emergency feature on the rideshare app (where they will be able to track you), or other apps you currently use on your phone for emergency tracking and reporting. If none of those are available, simply call the police and prepare a safety exit plan.
Think about improvised weapons. If the situation escalates, you may need to use improvised weapons. These may include using a pepper spray (where it is legal), a criminal identifier spray, or tools such as an umbrella to ward off the harasser.
Use self-defence when needed. Where applicable, you can use your body to defend yourself from unwanted advances. Use reasonable force and what you honestly believe is appropriate in the circumstances to avoid imminent danger or harm.
Having basic knowledge of precautionary measures during rideshares can be extremely helpful, as it can prepare you for the unexpected. With the understanding of what can happen during a ride and how to best respond to it, you equip yourself with necessary tools to protect your safety.
For rideshare assaults guide and more information on how to report assault to rideshare apps and file an assault lawsuit against a rideshare company vist: ConsumerNotice.org.