Rider Safety

from Door to Door

One of the biggest compliments I hear from female riders is how safe they feel inside my vehicle. Before they get in, I always ask for their name and introduce myself.  While I’m starting the trip, I ask if everyone’s in the car. This is to be sure I don’t have any stragglers running late or strangers hanging around the outside of the vehicle.  This is great, but, is there more you can do to make the rider feel safe? Yes! 

Girl Power is… in the Know  

When picking up a group, ask if they’ve decided on their “secret phrase” for the night. This is a phrase that only they should know and it’s used when someone in the group is  feeling uncomfortable, creeped out by somebody or needs to leave an area fast.

Girl Power is… Timing

Ask the group if they have their “meet time” picked out. This is the time when they meet at a determined spot and take a head count. It’s a chance to make sure everyone is alright and catch up on the evening’s details, plans or noteworthy moments.

Afterwards…

Anytime you pick up riders, be wary of anyone walking behind the rider to the car or following your vehicle on the road. When pulling up to the destination, check to see if another car is pulling up and parking anywhere behind you - within 10 car lengths. It could be another rideshare driver, you never know. Just be safe and be observant.

Shut the Front Door!

Before parking, ask your passenger which doorway they’re using to enter the building. Then ask is if it’s alright if you watch to make sure the rider safely enters the building. Asking this question puts the person at ease. It lets them know:  

1.      You’re interested in his/her well-being,

2.      That you’re keeping an eye out for danger

3.     Someone’s got their back, and

4.      You’re not just being a creep watching him/her walk away.

If it’s dark and the walkway/entryway is not well-lit, try parking so your lights are shining towards the doorway. Park as close as you legally can to the entry point. Put your hazards on - this will help draw attention to your vehicle and ward off predators. Observe the rider walk into the building and the entry door shut behind them before taking off for your next pick up point.

While it’s not the driver’s responsibility to see the rider safely inside their drop off point, it is great customer service to be concerned with rider safety in and out of the vehicle. This means being observant for people following your rider and/or cars following you. Look to see if there anyone sitting in or standing by a nearby vehicle when the rider gets out. Look for any trees or bushes near the door. Are there any unusual shadows that suddenly move or behave funny? Watch for persons loitering near the door or entry point. Do they suddenly looked interested and follow your rider?

After I ask if it’s okay to observe the rider safely in the door, the most common comment I get from female riders is “the last driver didn’t even wait for me to get inside before he left”. It only takes a few seconds, but it may be the few seconds that make all the difference in the world. You can make all the difference in the world. 

What’s your opinion? Should the driver wait? Or should the driver simply leave?

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