Uber gives riders several safety tools, and using them actively makes a trip safer for any passenger, women included. The main ones are PIN verification, trip sharing, RideCheck and an in app emergency button.
Before you get in, check that the car, the plate and the driver’s name and photo match what the app shows. Sit where you feel comfortable, and many riders choose the back seat for more space. Share your trip with someone you trust so they can follow your route.
Safety features in the Uber app
PIN verification
Uber offers riders in Canada the option of a four digit PIN. You give the code to the driver before the trip starts, which confirms you are in the right car. It is worth turning on, especially at busy pickup spots or late at night when several cars may look alike.
Share your trip
You can send trip details to friends or family from inside the app, so they can see where you are during the ride. Send it before the car moves, and tell your contact when you have arrived.
RideCheck
RideCheck is available to riders and drivers across Canada. If the app detects something unusual, such as a possible crash or an unexpected long stop, it sends a notification asking whether everything is fine. You can reply that all is well, use the emergency button or report the issue to Uber’s safety line.
Emergency button
The emergency button can be reached during a trip. If you feel in danger, use it and call local emergency services. Uber also lets riders choose up to four safety features to switch on automatically by time or location, and these are set in the app’s settings. Tapping the blue safety shield during a trip opens the tools.
Reporting problems and giving feedback
Rate the ride and leave comments after each trip, covering the driver’s conduct, how the route went and how safe you felt. Specific details help Uber follow up on a complaint. For anything serious, use the in app report option for that trip and contact the police if a crime may have happened.
Before you ride
Wait for your pickup in a lit, public place when you can, keep your phone charged, and set your safety preferences once so they apply to every trip. If a ride feels wrong, you can end it in a safe, public spot and report it afterward.