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This week the long anticipated roll-out of Uber’s emergency 911 button for use by riders was activated throughout the United States.
411 on Uber’s emergency 911 button
When riding an Uber, you should always keep the Uber “Safety Center” portion of the app open.
I also recommend you share your trip data & destination with a trusted individual (colleague, friend, or family member) - Uber has a button to accomplish this.
On that same page is the new emergency 911 button. Should you have a medical emergency, vehicular accident, or as was the case in a recent incident which occurred in Denver when a passenger exited the Uber when the driver announced he was taking her, not to her desired location, but to his, the button is there for you to use.
When you click on the “call 911 button” a call is initiated to the 911 dispatch. Included in the call data is your vehicle’s geographic location, and the vehicle make, model, and license plate.
Here’s a video demonstration which NBC Nightly News conducted of the application.
In addition to Uber’s emergency 911 button, Uber offers the following ten steps for riders to staying safe while using their service.
- Plan ahead. Before you request a ride, think about where you’re headed and review the safety features in the app so you know how to use them.
- Request your ride inside. Avoid spending unnecessary time outside alone with your phone in your hand. Instead, wait indoors until the app shows your driver has arrived.
- Get in the right car. Before you get in the car, check that license plate, driver photo, and driver name all match what’s listed in the app. Uber rides can only be requested through the app, so never get in a car with a driver who claims to be with Uber and offers a ride.
- Be a backseat rider. If you’re riding alone, sit in the backseat. This ensures you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic, and it gives you and your driver some personal space.
- Buckle up. The Centers for Disease Control reports that seatbelt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries related to car accidents.
- Share your trip details with a friend. While en route, tap “Share status” in the app to share your driver’s name, photo, license plate, and location with a friend or family member. They can track your trip and see your ETA without downloading the Uber app.
- Protect your personal information. There’s no need to share your phone number or other contact information with your driver. If a rider and driver need to contact each other, the Uber app automatically anonymizes both phone numbers to protect everyone’s privacy.
- Follow your intuition. Trust your instincts and use your best judgement when riding with Uber. And if you ever feel you’re in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
- Be kind and respectful. As outlined in our community guidelines, please respect your driver and his or her car.
- Give feedback on your trip. Your feedback helps us improve the Uber experience for everyone. Our 24/7 global support team reviews feedback and will follow up with appropriate action on any reports of conduct that violate our community guidelines.
