Rideshare Safety: a Look at how to Stay Safe
New data analysis from The Schiller Kessler Group puts today’s increased interest in ridesharing services into a new light. While ridesharing services are a particular boon during the holiday season, both Uber and Lyft expose rideshare passengers to unique risks, including fatal accidents and sexual assault.
The data brought forward by The Schiller Kessler Group suggests that while rideshares can protect residents from drunk driving accidents and other incidents, passengers should still take steps to protect themselves from human error and malicious intent. High-demand seasons demand particular vigilance from today’s passengers.
Ridesharing Popularity
While rideshare services have increased in popularity in recent years, the services aren’t without their dangers. According to our analysis of available data:
- Between 2021 and 2022, Uber’s reported accidents and instances of assault outpaced Lyft’s by considerable margins, with Uber experiencing 38% more motor vehicle fatalities, 56% more fatal physical assaults, and 6% more sexual assaults.
- However, Uber also reported that 99% of its rides ended without any parties getting involved in an accident.
At the same time, rideshare services have had a marked impact on drunk and distracted driving statistics. Rideshares tend to keep intoxicated drivers off the road, increasing overall safety during the holiday season.
Making Your Safety a Priority
Our study doesn’t aim to discourage residents from using rideshares but rather encourages them to consider their personal safety, especially ahead of holiday parties, shopping trips, and family gatherings. Some best practices for preserving personal safety while using a rideshare can include the following:
- Arranging rideshare transportation from a safe location
- Informing friends or trusted loved ones about your intention to use a rideshare and sharing a driver’s information before getting in a vehicle
- Verifying a driver’s identification before getting into a rideshare vehicle
- Limiting the personal information you share with an unfamiliar rideshare driver
- Familiarizing yourself with a rideshare app’s safety and emergency features
A representative from The Schiller Kessler Group said, “While the rideshare industry has made it considerably safer for Floridians to navigate the roads during the holiday season, it’s an imperfect industry. There’s a need for greater transparency and safety measures for passengers and drivers.
We hope increased awareness about the dangers of ridesharing can mitigate possible risks as demand for rideshares increases.”
This study does not want to discourage Floridians from using rideshare services throughout the coming holiday season. Any residents who are too intoxicated, tired, or distracted to drive safely should rely on rideshare services to keep themselves safe.
However, passengers can also take steps to minimize the risks that come with getting into a stranger’s car. We want passengers to verify drivers’ identities, share their locations with their friends, and familiarize themselves with the safety tools Lyft and Uber offer through their apps.
Drivers throughout Florida can also watch out for rideshare drivers by navigating the state’s interstates and local roads with particular care, especially as traffic picks up. Extra caution can keep the coming holiday season worry-free.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
