Is Uber Safe?

The Short Answer:

Uber has implemented numerous safety features like GPS tracking, driver screenings, and an in-app emergency toolkit. However, the platform is not risk-free, with thousands of reported safety incidents, including impersonation and sexual assault. Staying safe on Uber requires both proactive features from the app and personal responsibility from riders.

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Key Takeaways

• Uber has built-in safety measures, but risks remain. Features like RideCheck, driver screenings, and masked contact info help reduce danger but do not eliminate it.
• Thousands of safety incidents have been reported. Uber’s own data shows ongoing issues like sexual assault and driver impersonation, leading to lawsuits and public concern.
• User behavior significantly impacts safety. Verifying vehicle details, using in-app tools, and avoiding distraction can help prevent dangerous situations.
• Certain situations require extra caution. Riding late at night, while impaired, or from crowded areas like airports, increases vulnerability to safety issues.
• Know what to do if something goes wrong. Safely exit the vehicle, report the issue to Uber or authorities, and document everything if an incident occurs.
• Safety is a shared responsibility. Uber provides tools, but riders must also stay vigilant to ensure a safer experience.

The Big Picture: What “Safe” Really Means

When it comes to rideshare services like Uber, the word “safe” can mean different things to different people. On the surface, Uber is widely seen as a convenient and secure way to get around, especially when users follow in-app safety tips and recommended practices. But safety doesn’t mean risk-free.

Over the years, Uber has faced high-profile lawsuits and public scrutiny involving serious safety concerns, including sexual assault allegations, driver impersonation, and inadequate response times to emergencies. These incidents, while not the norm, highlight the real risks that can exist behind the wheel of any rideshare vehicle.

Tools like GPS tracking, driver background checks, and emergency assistance are helpful—but they don’t eliminate all risks. Knowing what Uber does well, and where it may fall short, helps riders make informed choices about their safety.

Built-In Uber Safety Features

Uber has invested heavily in creating technology and processes aimed at keeping riders and drivers safer. While no system is perfect, these features are designed to give users more control, visibility, and peace of mind during every trip.

• GPS Tracking: Every Uber trip is tracked from start to finish, creating a digital trail that allows both riders and Uber support to monitor the route in real time and review it afterward if needed.
• Driver Screenings: Uber requires all drivers to undergo multi-step background checks before they’re approved to drive. These checks typically include criminal history and driving record screenings, with periodic rechecks and ongoing monitoring using new technology.
• Vehicle Inspections: In many regions, vehicles must pass an inspection before they can be used on the Uber platform. These checks focus on things like brakes, tires, and lights to help ensure roadworthiness.
• In-App Safety Toolkit: The Uber app includes an easy-access Safety Toolkit, which features an emergency assistance button, location-sharing with trusted contacts, and a direct line to Uber’s safety team, including a partnership with ADT for live help.
• RideCheck: This feature uses GPS and motion sensors to detect if a trip has an unexpected long stop or significant route deviation. If something seems off, Uber proactively reaches out to check on both the rider and the driver.
• Masked Contact Info: Riders and drivers never see each other’s actual phone numbers. Uber uses anonymized calling and texting to protect user privacy before, during, and after the trip.

Documented Safety Incidents and Risks

While Uber has implemented numerous safety features, real-world incidents show that the platform is not without serious risks. 

• Sexual Assault and Misconduct: Between 2017 and 2022, Uber received thousands of reports of sexual assault, averaging 1 report every 8 minutes during this timeframe. These numbers, disclosed in Uber’s U.S. Safety Reports, have led to ongoing lawsuits and public scrutiny around how such incidents are handled. Survivors have spoken out about inconsistent responses and a lack of transparency, highlighting the need for stronger accountability.
• Risk of Impersonation: A troubling yet preventable danger involves riders getting into vehicles that aren’t their assigned Uber. In several high-profile cases, passenger deaths and assaults occurred after individuals mistakenly entered cars driven by impersonators. Despite Uber’s efforts to educate users about checking license plates and driver identities, impersonation remains a risk, especially in crowded or poorly lit pickup areas.

How To Maximize Your Safety When Using Uber

Even with built-in safety tools, your own awareness and choices can make a big difference in how safe your ride experience is. Here are practical tips you can follow before, during, and after your trip:

• Verify Your Ride: Always double-check that the license plate number, car make and model, and driver’s photo match what’s shown in the app. Never get into a car without confirming it’s your assigned Uber.
• Use Safety Features: Take advantage of Uber’s built-in tools. Share your trip status with friends or family in real time, and keep the emergency button handy in case something goes wrong.
• Stay Alert: Avoid distractions while waiting. Wait indoors when possible, sit in the back seat, and don’t ride if you’re overly intoxicated or impaired. These habits improve both awareness and your ability to exit the vehicle if needed.
• Trust Your Instincts: If anything feels off, whether it’s the route, the driver’s behavior, or something else, don’t hesitate to cancel the ride. Safety comes first.
• Protect Personal Information: Uber doesn’t require you to share your home address or phone number directly with the driver. Keep those details private, and avoid casual oversharing during the trip.

Special Situations That Need Extra Caution

Some ride scenarios come with elevated risks. Whether it’s late at night, after a few drinks, or during the rush of airport travel, taking a few extra precautions can significantly reduce your chances of encountering a problem.

• Nighttime Rides: After dark, visibility drops, and so can your guard. Choose well-lit pickup areas, tell a friend when you’re leaving, and make sure your phone’s emergency features (like Uber’s in-app safety toolkit) are within easy reach. Trust your surroundings, and avoid entering any vehicle that doesn’t clearly match the app.
• Impaired Riding: If you’ve been drinking or using substances, avoid riding alone. Travel with a friend when possible, enter your destination before getting in, and don’t rely entirely on the driver to get you there safely. Impaired passengers are more vulnerable to unsafe situations or misunderstandings.
• Airport Rides: Airports are busy, and scammers know it. Always verify the car’s Uber decal, license plate, and driver information in the app. Be cautious of anyone approaching you claiming to be your ride without confirmation from the app. Impersonators often target travelers unfamiliar with the area.

What To Do If Something Goes Wrong

Even with safety features in place, unexpected situations can happen. Here’s what to do if your Uber ride takes a wrong turn:

1. Exit the Vehicle Safely: Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, ask the driver to stop in a public, well-lit area. Locations like gas stations, retail stores, or busy intersections offer more visibility and access to help if needed.
2. Report the Incident: After exiting the vehicle, document what happened. Take notes, screenshots, or photos if applicable. Then:
   • Use the Uber app to report the driver
   • Contact Uber Support for non-emergency concerns
   • In emergencies, call 911 first, then alert Uber
3. Handle Accidents Appropriately: If you’re involved in a crash while riding:
   • Gather important details: driver’s name, license plate, time, location
   • Get medical help immediately—even for minor injuries
   • Report the accident to Uber through the app
   • Seek legal guidance from an Alabama rideshare accident lawyer if injuries or damages are significant

How Safe Is Uber?

Uber’s safety features have come a long way, from background checks to in-app emergency tools, but no system is entirely risk-proof. Ultimately, safety is a shared responsibility between the platform and its users.

1. Uber Has Built-In Protections, But They’re Not a Guarantee: GPS tracking, ride verification, and emergency support offer a solid foundation, but incidents still happen, reminding us that technology has limits.
2. Your Choices Matter: Practicing situational awareness, like checking the car’s license plate, avoiding impaired rides, and sharing your trip, goes a long way in keeping you safe.
3. It Can Be a Smart, Safe Option If You Stay Proactive: For many, Uber remains a convenient and generally safe way to get around, especially when riders take simple, proactive steps to protect themselves.

If you’ve been involved in an Uber-related incident or have concerns about your safety after a ride, it may be worth speaking to a legal professional. Knowing your rights is one more way to protect yourself and others in the rideshare world.