Women's Safety When Using Rideshare Services and Taxis
Practical safety tips for women using rideshare services and taxis, including how to verify your driver, share your trip, use in-app safety features, and choose the safest seat.
Is Rideshare Safe for Women?
As a self-defence instructor, one of the questions I am regularly asked is whether rideshare services are safe for women. The answer is that the overwhelming majority of rideshare drivers are genuine professionals who take passenger safety seriously. However, like any situation where you are alone with a stranger, taking a few simple precautions can greatly improve your personal safety and peace of mind.
Share Your Trip
Before you get into the vehicle, share your trip details with a family member or trusted friend. Most rideshare apps allow you to send your live trip information, including your driver's details, vehicle information and your expected arrival time. This means someone else knows where you are and when you should arrive.
Verify the Vehicle
Always check that the vehicle arriving is the same vehicle shown in the app. Take a moment to confirm:
• Registration plate.
• Vehicle make.
• Vehicle colour.
Never assume that the first car to pull up is your driver.
Verify the Driver
Before getting into the vehicle, confirm that the driver is the person shown in the rideshare app.
A simple way to do this is to ask:
• "What's your name?"
• "Who are you picking up?"
Do not give your own name first. The driver should already know who they are collecting.
Check for Official Identification
Drivers should display official photographic identification inside the vehicle.
In South Australia, accredited rideshare drivers are required to display their Accredited Licence, which includes their photograph. This is usually displayed on the dashboard or hanging from the rear-view mirror where passengers can clearly see it.
It is also a legal requirement in South Australia for rideshare vehicles to display the blue PV identification plate as well as the relevant rideshare platform stickers, such as Uber or DiDi, on the rear window of the vehicle.
If these identification requirements are not displayed, passengers should consider whether they wish to continue the trip.
Where Should You Sit?
There are two common schools of thought regarding where a woman travelling alone should sit in a rideshare vehicle.
Sitting directly behind the driver can make it more difficult for them to look at you in the mirror, reach around, or make physical contact. However, if you need to leave the vehicle quickly, you are exiting on the same side as the driver.
Sitting behind the front passenger seat provides greater physical distance between you and the driver. The driver may be able to see you more easily in the mirror, and reaching back may be slightly easier. However, if you need to exit the vehicle unexpectedly, the driver must move around the car to reach you.
As a self-defence instructor in a country that uses right-hand-drive vehicles, I personally recommend sitting directly behind the front passenger seat. This position maximises the distance between you and the driver, allows you to monitor their movements more easily, gives you a better view of any displayed identification, and places you on the curb side when exiting the vehicle, reducing the risk of stepping into traffic.
Use the Safety Features in the App
Modern rideshare applications include several safety features that passengers should use.
These may include:
• Live trip tracking.
• Real-time map updates.
• Estimated arrival times.
• Trip sharing with trusted contacts.
• Automatic alerts if the vehicle stops unexpectedly.
• Notifications if the vehicle significantly deviates from the planned route.
• One-touch emergency calling features.
Many apps also provide an in-app audio recording function. If your rideshare app offers this feature, activate it. If it does not, consider using the voice recorder on your mobile phone during the journey.
You Don't Have to Make Conversation
Many rideshare apps allow passengers to select a "quiet ride" or "no conversation" preference. If you do not wish to engage in conversation with the driver, use these settings where available.
Remember, you are under no obligation to make conversation simply to be polite.
Final Thoughts
The vast majority of rideshare drivers and rideshare companies are genuinely committed to the safety of their passengers. Millions of safe trips occur every day.
By taking a few simple precautions, verifying the vehicle and driver, sharing your trip, using the safety features available, and choosing your seating position carefully, you can significantly improve your personal safety and travel with greater confidence.