Know Before You Go: Rideshare Safety

Know Before You Go: Rideshare Safety

There are several things riders can and should do before and during a ride to take charge of their own security and make sure that the vehicle is one they have booked.

Rideshare platforms have been flooding the recent news cycle following the murder of a South Carolina student by a man posing as a rideshare driver. Having become an important part of our national transportation system and because so many individuals and businesses depend on them daily, rideshare apps have security measures in place to help provide safe experiences for users. However, there are several things riders can and should do before and during a ride to take charge of their own security and make sure that the vehicle is one they have booked.

Before entering the car, travelers should refer to the rideshare app for the model, color and license plate of the vehicle coming to pick them up. Riders can use this information to confirm their vehicle before getting in and should always do so in the following sequence:

1. Look for the make of the car as the vehicle approaches: Travelers can usually identify the make by the emblem on the hood or the words on the back of the vehicle.

 

2. Confirm the model of the vehicle: The model of a vehicle can usually be found on the trunk. If provided by the app, ridesharers should also use this time to confirm the color of the car.

 

3. Confirm the license plate number: Many rideshare vehicles look the same, so it’s important to use the license plate number as final confirmation that it’s the correct car before approaching the vehicle. License plate numbers are unique to each vehicle, so if the number in your app differs from the number on the car, do not approach the vehicle. If the number matches, move on to the next step.

 

4. Indicate for the driver to lower the window or open the back door without entering the vehicle: Before entering the vehicle, travelers should always ask the driver to tell them who he/she is there to pick up. Rideshare platforms provide all drivers with the rider’s name so there is no reason for a rider to enter a vehicle without confirming the driver has the correct name. During this step, ride sharers must remember not to share their name first. If the rider does not hear their name or doesn’t understand the driver, they can ask for the driver to show them the app. If this is the case, travelers should look for the pickup name on the app. Even if the license plate number matches the app, do not get into the car until confirming the driver is there to pick you up.

 

After getting in the car, riders should remain vigilant. Rideshare apps offer a couple of ways to enhance safety and security while on the ride, including:

● An option to share your destination with a trusted contact: Rideshare apps offer the ability to share the route and destination of a trip, including anticipated arrival time, with any contacts. If on a personal trip, riders may want to share their trip with a friend or relative. If on a work trip, riders can share trips with colleagues or supervisors. As an additional safety measure, travelers can follow-up with whoever they shared their ride with via text, asking them to call you if late.

● An emergency feature within the app: Most rideshare apps have a safety button that connects riders directly to the company safety and security team. Riders can use this button if they feel insecure at any point during their experience. Situations such as erratic driving, an abusive driver or deviating from the recommended route are all reasons to contact the safety team. After contacted, safety teams are able to track the vehicle, communicate with the driver and contact local authorities, if necessary.

 

Although we should always be cognizant of our surroundings, it’s important to remember that rideshare companies provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation for millions of people every day. The tragedy in South Carolina reminds us that there are predators out there who mean harm and because of this, we must look out for each other and ourselves. Applying these simple steps to everyday travel could help riders prevent future tragedies.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.