Uber or Lyft: Which Is Safer for Female Riders?

Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have both received a lot of bad press due to the many assaults, rapes, kidnappings, and even murders of female riders at the hands of drivers. Riding as a woman alone at night in the car of a complete stranger picked up from the Internet is already a recipe for disaster, but is any of these two services safer for female riders than the other?

Which One Is Safer for Women: Uber or Lyft?

Uber has been linked to more nefarious accidents than Lyft has, but the Uber driver pool is also bigger than Lyft’s. Both companies run the same background checks and have similar employment requirements. Also, many drivers use both ride-hailing apps to find customers, so don’t be surprised if you meet an Uber driver in a Lyft car and the other way around.

But which ride-sharing service is safer for women riders? Ride-hailing services are often a bit less secure than public transit or traditional cab services due to the vetting process and driver pool. But the Uber app comes with more safety features than the Lyft app for riders’ peace of mind.

Uber has been working relentlessly on making the service safe due to the many incidents that have put riders’ lives, bodily integrity, and personal possessions at risk.

For instance, Uber doesn’t share your GPS location with the driver like Lyft does. An Uber driver will only know the address you are providing them with. They also don’t know the drop-off point until you get into their car. So, for an Uber driver, it is a bit harder to find locations and addresses concerning their passengers, at least in theory.

In addition, with Uber, it is easier to contact emergency services than it is with Lyft. The Uber app allows riders to share their ride with other people via a link sent to those people’s inboxes. So, it is easier for emergency services to reach the Uber car if needed. Also, the person with the link to the ride can watch live how the ride is going, so they can immediately contact Law Enforcement if the driver makes an unauthorized stop or strays from the initial route.

Further, Uber has another safety feature to prevent riders from getting into other people’s cars. Uber drivers know if they picked up the right passenger because they are sent a 4-digit code they need to insert in the app upon their arrival.

So, in the safety department, Uber feels a bit safer than Lyft for a female rider traveling alone at night or in an unsafe location. Still, if a driver really wants to do you harm, they will do it regardless of the safeguards and prevention measures set in place.

The real downside of ride-sharing services is the overall quality of their drivers. The background checks both ride-sharing companies require are no different than those needed for an entry-level Walmart employee.

Also, Uber and Lyft drivers are often less skilled than a traditional cab driver because almost anyone can get in to make an honest buck. Ride-sharing drivers have no special training in defensive driving or other types of special training when it comes to road safety. Taxi drivers have more extensive training in such areas, and the risk of having a nasty accident is considerably lower.

How to Stay Safe in an Uber or Lyft

If you really need to travel solo as a woman, there are several tips to consider to make sure that you arrive safe and sound at the destination:

• If in-app safety features are available, use them. Don’t assume that the driver must be a good person just because he or she seems nice and has a smooth talk; many psychopaths fly under the radar this way.

• Identify the driver; Make sure that the driver’s name, photo, and car make match what you see in the app.

• If you feel that something is off about your driver, cancel the ride.

• Ask the driver to stop the car if you feel that the ride is going awry; pretend that you are sick if you have to.

• Never ride solo when completely intoxicated.

• Sit behind the driver; if he wants to assault you, it is hard to do it when you are sitting in his blind spot.

• Never use your home address as a drop off location; use a location close to your home.

• Tell a family member or friend where you are going, with whom, and approximate time of arrival. Send a screenshot of the in-app driver info. (Some female riders take photos of their drivers and the inside of the car before the ride, but please ask for permission first.)

• Keep your phone close and be ready to contact emergency services.

• Tip the driver appropriately if you are pleased with the service.

Conclusion

Ride-hailing services are cheaper than classic cab services, but they do come with risks. From poorly trained drivers to full-blown psychopaths, a woman traveling solo at night faces many risks. But while Uber seems safer than Lyft thanks to the many in-app safety features, those risks still linger. And there’s also a higher likelihood of a car crash when tapping such services.

Fortunately, if you live in Atlanta, GA, and you were badly injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you can ask for help from an experienced attorney if you want to get the right compensation for Uber or Lyft accidents in Atlanta (more details in the link). Such attorneys know all the ins and outs of ride-hailing services and can help you make the companies and bad drivers pay for your injuries and losses.

We hope this article was helpful, and if you want to let us know your opinion about this topic, don’t hesitate to write to us! Also, feel free to share! Maybe someone needs this information and it could ease them in choosing a ride sharing service.