Today, almost every city-dweller knows about Uber, Lyft, or other ride-sharing apps. As the world continues to accept this industry, ride sharing apps continue to innovate and implement various road safety measures. Several people lose their lives or get hurt on the road. While alcohol is the primary cause of road accidents, other behaviors such as exhausted driving puts people at risk. Fortunately, ride sharing apps are now helping in keeping people safe.
Several studies have linked ride-sharing apps to a reduction in drunk driving accidents (DUI). For instance, a survey by Uber showed that the Atlanta Police Department saw a 35% reduction in the DUI arrest they made between 2010 and 2015. Even though factors that affect drunk driving trends may vary from city to city, 90% of Uber riders say that the app helps to reduce driving while intoxicated. Most people say that Uber is their traveling choice when they have had too much alcohol to drive. As such, there is no doubt that ride sharing apps have helped in the reduction of DUI accidents.
Read on to discover how ride sharing apps are improving the safety of people.
- Safety Feature. Ride sharing apps such as Uber have upgraded their system to include a place where riders can access information about road safety. The apps include tips created in partnership with the government, information on the process of screening drivers, and insurance protection.
- Trusted Contacts. Uber has enabled riders to designate five family members or friends as trusted contacts. The app reminds the passenger to share their trip details with these contacts during each ride. As a result, your loved ones can follow you and know when you arrive. The app also shares the driver’s name, vehicle information, and location in real-time with your trusted contacts.
- 911 Assistance. Although no one would like to call 911 emergency, you never know when you might need to make that call. Ride sharing apps include an emergency button, which connects you to 911 directly. The feature indicates your real-time location, which enables you to share it with the 911 operator.
- Background Checks. Ride sharing apps have a responsibility to conduct background checks on their drivers. Additionally, they rerun criminal and vehicle checks annually. The apps also partner with law enforcement to increase their screening standards. For instance, Uber receives a notification when a driver is involved in any criminal activity.
- Personal Information. When using a ride sharing up, you do not have to share any of your contact information. The apps anonymize both the drivers and your contact information to protect everyone’s privacy.
- Customer Feedback. The customer feedback page on your ride sharing app is essential to the company. Your feedback helps the ride sharing company to improve their services, especially in safety matters.
Even though almost everyone is advocating for improved road safety measures, no type of transportation is entirely free of incidents. If you feel the need to contact an injury, Bell & Pollock Accident and Injury Lawyers will help you with your case.