[MD-Sligo] FW: [tech-vi Announce List] When Uber Becomes Dangerous: How to Rideshare Safely

Sun Jan 2 16:29:51 UTC 2022

From: tech-vi at groups.io <tech-vi at groups.io> On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2021 5:08 PM
To: tech-vi at groups.io
Subject: [tech-vi Announce List] When Uber Becomes Dangerous: How to
Rideshare Safely

>From the Tech-VI list owner: 

In addition to the tips mentioned in this article I'll offer some
suggestions of my own which are relevant to someone with little or no
vision. These are habits which I regularly engage in when using Uber or
Lyft.

*	Using a service such as AIRA or Be My Eyes can be helpful to assist
in verifying that the car promised in the app is the car that you are
approaching.
*	I also activate the Share option from within the ride sharing app
and send the ride progress information to my wife. Those who aren't married
can do this by sending ride progress information to a trusted friend or
significant other. 
*	I also use a GPS app on my phone to monitor the progress of the
trip. First, doing this lets you know where you are in the event that the
driver's GPS is not audible. In fact, I not only use Blindsquare to let me
know what is around me but I also simultaneously use Google Maps to provide
me information about the trip, where we're supposed to turn along with my
estimated time of arrival. This allows me to interact with the driver by
making comments about where we are or by saying things such as, "looks like
we're three minutes away." This has the benefit of making the driver aware
of the fact that you are aware and knowledgeable concerning your
surroundings and that he or she doesn't have some dependent, clueless blind
passenger in his or her vehicle.

WhatIsMyIPAddress - Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 10:29 AM

When Uber Becomes Dangerous: How to Rideshare Safely

Unable to fetch full text content for this article, please use the link to
the web view to read the entire article.

The convenience of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft has made it easier
than ever to get from point A to point B. But just because it's convenient
doesn't mean it's 100% safe. If you're not careful, your Uber ride can take
a turn for the worse, and you might find yourself in a troubling situation.

Learn how to take the risks of ridesharing seriously, and which tips can
help keep you safe.

The most common ridesharing apps

When you think of ridesharing, you probably think about Uber and LYFT first.
While these two apps certainly dominate the ridesharing market, they're not
the only ones available for people who want to pay for a ride without using
a taxi. Uber and Lyft aren't set up for long-distance trips, for instance,
and some other apps fill that need.

Popular ridesharing apps around the world are:

*	Uber
*	LYFT
*	BlaBla Car
*	Hitch
*	Wingz
*	Via
*	Bridj

What are the biggest risks to using rideshare apps?

When you take a ride with a stranger using a popular ridesharing app, what
are some of the most likely things to go wrong?

*	Fake drivers: It's not uncommon for criminals to pose as Uber or
LYFT drivers and trick unsuspecting passengers into getting into the car
with them. Their malicious intentions range in severity, from abducting
passengers to pretending the app's payment system doesn't work so they can
steal their money.
*	Normal vehicle safety: Maybe riders don't think about safety because
they're in a stranger's car, or maybe they put too much blind faith in their
drivers. Whatever the reason, riders don't always exercise the basics of
vehicle safety and aren't prepared when their driver gets into a serious
accident.
*	Drivers with criminal history: Rideshare apps require background
checks for their drivers, but people without a history can still have
criminal intent. They have legitimate driver profiles on the app but may end
up sexually abusing or assaulting
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.
com%2F2018%2F04%2F30%2Ftechnology%2Fuber-driver-sexual-assault%2Findex.html&
data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaa
aaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wL
jAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=Xi9e6CzNV
nM7XuM%2B5Aq0ih6Pexghy3oNnzOkjn3GsuY%3D&reserved=0>  their passengers.

How to rideshare safely

Most ridesharing apps have safety policies or publish tips on how to use
their app safely. Read these policies before you start requesting rides:

*	Uber
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uber.c
om%2Fca%2Fen%2Fsafety%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%
7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7C
TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%
3D%7C3000&sdata=4F0f5iJFaqAqG2wYrX7ErBBhgTFzFM1FxFEdfPOCZ80%3D&reserved=0>
's safety policy
*	LYFT
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.lyft.
com%2Fhc%2Fe%2Farticles%2F115012923127-Safety-policies&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1e
a8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C6
37762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMz
IiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=qyZnB%2Bz%2BlijPMjLzyR16tJ2s9M
roMU62BKfRDj%2FjdLc%3D&reserved=0> 's safety policy
*	BlaBla Car
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.bl
ablacar.com%2Fhc%2Fen-gb%2Fcategories%2F360002754399-Trust-safety-accessibil
ity&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb43
5aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiM
C4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=Jz6dE
wkAj8cHtZ8Gvrzqo4rcKEkn5E0gcEEgsgF5f8g%3D&reserved=0> 's safety policy
*	Wingz
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wingz.
me%2Fsafety%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7f
e9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3
d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&
sdata=1bTclNzvfudPNcswKgc6BBzFTy3y%2BVsFrz6H0Gr%2BUv0%3D&reserved=0> 's
safety policy
*	Via
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridewithvi
a.com%2Fsafety%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9
e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZ
sb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C30
00&sdata=1MC9ZAWd6b6XkvCH29kZ3tLCSUnrrtpvGbX8boLW2pw%3D&reserved=0> 's
safety policy

In addition to reading the app's safety policies, keep these general tips in
mind as well:

*	Make the driver tell you your name: If they're your driver, they
should have your first name and your requested destination available on the
app. Before you even open the door, ask the driver to confirm your name and
destination so you know they're legit.
*	Match the license plate number and the driver's appearance: When the
car pulls up, make sure the license plate number and car's description match
the one you see in the app. Also, get a good look at the driver to see if
their appearance matches their photo on the app.
*	Avoid ridesharing alone: If you can, avoid taking an Uber or a Lyft
by yourself. When there are two or more of you, it's more likely one of you
will be able to contact authorities if needed. For longer trips, between
cities for example, definitely avoid going by yourself if you can help it.
*	Use other life-saving security apps: Apps like Uber and LYFT have
built-in safety features, such as allowing you to share live updates of your
trip with friends. Supplement these features with other safety apps
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatismyip
address.com%2F7-apps-that-will-make-you-feel-safer&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2
fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63776
2355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLC
JBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=lZLVcr8Pddji4YvBzLpi48bVF7oADvR6uA
JFYiKSLj0%3D&reserved=0> , such as bSafe, Red Panic Button, or Tego. These
apps can track your location and send it to friends, turn your phone into a
panic button that alerts the authorities, or start clandestinely recording
audio or video.
*	Sit in the back: If you have the option to, always sit in the
backseat of an Uber or Lyft. You can keep a better eye on both the road and
the driver this way. Plus it makes it harder for the driver to physically
reach you. While you're at it, try to sit as close to the door as possible
in case you need to get out quickly.
*	Call a friend during the ride: To make yourself feel safer, call
someone during the ride and let them know you're in an Uber or LYFT. This
also indicates to the driver that someone else knows where you are and that
they're tracking your ride. If you can't reach anyone or it's a late hour,
leave yourself a voice memo and pretend you're on a call so the driver still
thinks you're speaking with someone else.
*	Communicate via the app: Never try to communicate with your driver
outside of the app. Don't give out your phone number, email address, or any
contact info other than your first name. If you need to send a message to
the driver or to call them, do so through the app.

Ridesharing and COVID-19

Since 2020, ridesharing safety has included measures for COVID-19 as well.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has
guidelines
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.go
v%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcommunity%2Forganizations%2Frideshare-drivers-
for-hire.html&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe
9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d
8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&s
data=gfhiaagRlPHvtAW08%2FOWeA1lsX8pbBxwDXIxW6%2FCvAI%3D&reserved=0>  for
driver-for-hire services, and how both passengers and drivers should conduct
themselves during a ride.

Generally, both drivers and passengers should wear face masks when inside
the vehicle. Drivers should avoid picking up multiple passengers who would
otherwise not be riding together on the same route as well. Both drivers and
passengers should avoid touching their face, eyes, nose, or mouth throughout
the ride and aim to disinfect their hands as soon as the journey is over.

Staying safe in your Rideshare

Ride-hailing apps have revolutionized mobility, allowing people to move
across cities and even entire regions affordably. Ridesharing can be
dangerous, however, when some people use the apps for bad intentions. By
staying on your guard, you can keep away from trouble and continue to use
your ridesharing app safely.

The post When Uber Becomes Dangerous: How to Rideshare Safely
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatismyip
address.com%2Fwhen-uber-becomes-dangerous-how-to-rideshare-safely&data=04%7C
01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%
7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJ
QIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=YTwoq0RsEYL6ZROEPV4
KiVw2xRQ1nmQKiDXmicJ2uF4%3D&reserved=0>  appeared first on WhatIsMyIPAddress
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatismyip
address.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7f
e9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3
d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&
sdata=qgCaCH6EqHS%2F5f5nmjlhl58%2F7EjBA7QUj9wCrthj%2B7c%3D&reserved=0> .

https://whatismyipaddress.com/when-uber-becomes-dangerous-how-to-rideshare-s
afely
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatismyip
address.com%2Fwhen-uber-becomes-dangerous-how-to-rideshare-safely&data=04%7C
01%7C%7Cb1ea8f2fec5e44c09d9e08d9c97b9fc4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%
7C1%7C0%7C637762355061461594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJ
QIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=YTwoq0RsEYL6ZROEPV4
KiVw2xRQ1nmQKiDXmicJ2uF4%3D&reserved=0> 

     David Goldfield 

Assistive Technology Specialist

Feel free to visit my Web site

WWW.DavidGoldfield.info <http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.info> 

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