Uber is in the news a lot lately due to passengers’ major safety issues. To counter image that Uber is unsafe, Uber has decided to launch in-app safety feature that will be rolled out in Canada and USA first.
So why is Uber launching this safety feature now? Because a lot of Uber app users do not check the car they are getting into and can end up in a dangerous situation.
In Toronto just recently female passenger got into a vehicle she thought was her Uber – but ended up in a wrong vehicle and got sexually assaulted.
According to Toronto Police’s investigation into a sexual assault in the Royal York Road and Evans Avenue area. Police said that a 21-year-old woman entered a black SUV driven by a man, the man drove her away from Toronto not allowing her to exit the SUV , he took her to a fast food restaurant parking lot in Mississauga , the woman tried to get assistance from a bystander , he then drove her to a secluded side street , he sexually assaulted her , The woman was dropped off later that morning, she then contacted police.
In South Carolina – same thing happened – student got into a wrong car – and was discovered murdered shortly. Police there said that they believe South Carolina student entered a wrong vehicle that was not her Uber.
Uber’s new Check your ride initiative launched the following educational video to remind Uber users to be careful:
Uber reminds people to match the car model and license plate with the information in the app and recommends you follow the following three steps:
- Match the license plate number
- Match the car make and model
- Check the driver’s photo
Uber also recommends you use Follow My Ride feature. This new feature allows you to inform people on your whereabouts.
