Is Uber the best thing ever or another thing to fear?

Thanks to Uber, getting from point A to point B has never been easier. In fact, some millennials are even trading in their vehicles to use Uber exclusively. Unfortunately, depending on strangers for rides always comes with a risk.

Essentially, anyone can be an Uber driver as long as they meet the age requirement, have a valid driver’s license and show a clean criminal record. Because of this, extra precautions should be taken when choosing to take Uber or any other rideshare services.

When someone first applies to be a driver, Uber does a background check to make sure that person has a clean criminal and driving record. Once the background check is complete, the driver is free to start taking riders. Unfortunately, this screening process does not include phone calls to previous employers or an interview process, so there is no way for the company to really get a decent assessment of whether or not the person is safe to hire “off paper.”

Earlier this year, an Uber driver from Virginia was arrested for sexually assaulting his passenger. Also this year, another driver was arrested in California after driving intoxicated women to their homes and then raping them. Both of these reports came after the horrific 2016 killing spree of Uber driver Jason Brian Dalton in Michigan when he shot eight people.

Reports like these are becoming more common as Uber gains in popularity. Even though every driver has to go through a screening process before starting, these instances are still occurring. This clearly shows the current background check procedure cannot always accurately predict one’s behavior.

The company should put in place a stricter hiring process like that of taxi companies, which involves interviews and phone calls to past employers. However, Uber does have other safety features in place that taxi companies do not have.

The Uber app uses a star rating system that allows both the rider and driver to rate each other after each trip. If a driver rates a rider below three stars, the automated system will never match them to that rider again. If a driver’s average rating falls below a certain level, Uber will automatically block the account unless the driver pays for and completes a quality improvement course. If riders feel that a driver is unsafe or a threat, star ratings are a good way to let Uber know.

If the driver warrants a more serious concern, the rider can make a report to Uber. Typically, the driver’s account is blocked while Uber investigates the report. The driver cannot gain back access to his/her account unless he/she can prove there was no wrongdoing. If an emergency arises during a ride, a 24/7 support line is also available.

A new feature called “Share My Trip” allows riders to share their trip and real-time location with friends and family. They can follow along with the rider’s route and stay updated with the status of the trip.

While all of these features are a great way to keep drivers accountable, it is impossible to prevent safety risks altogether. Riders should still take extra precautions to help ensure their own safety. Features like “Share My Trip” only work if the rider uses it. This is highly recommended especially if the person is riding alone. Riders should also make sure that they only get into a vehicle that they have ordered through the Uber app and not use an off-duty driver. This allows both the driver and the rider to benefit from Uber’s safety features.

It is important that passengers do not share any personal information with their drivers. If possible, they should try not to order an Uber directly to their home to prevent future contact. Another way personal information is protected in some cities is an automated system that will anonymize both the phone number of the driver and the passenger if contact between the two is necessary.

Overall, Uber has great safety features in place that help keep drivers accountable and give riders peace of mind. However, because that accountability still cannot force drivers to always be safe and follow the law, riders need to protect themselves by following common sense safeguards.

In addition to the precautions noted previously, riders should never get into a car if they have a bad feeling about the driver. If a driver makes a rider feel uncomfortable during the trip, the rider should ask the driver to pull over and let him/her out at the nearest safe place. If riders are smart and take the right measures, Uber should not be anything to fear.