Getting around places when you do not have a car or a license can be somewhat of a hassle, but with Uber they make it all possible. Uber is a convenient, inexpensive, and safe riding experience for customers. It is a taxi service made easily for you. Private drivers pick you up and drop you off at your destination at the push of a button on your phone. The whole pickup/drop off is meant to be a safe and enjoyable experience; however recent spikes of unsafe uber incidents have occurred.

 Lately, reports have stated frequent safety concerns which are concerning riders. Michigan Uber driver Jason Brian Dalton was charged with six counts of murder for a killing spree in February, 2016. Dalton used Uber to drive from one target to another, shooting people at random, and picking up and dropping off riders between shootings. This put many lives and the company at risk. After this tragic event, the decline in Uber use was significant; customers were afraid to use the automotive service. First degree murder is not the only thing holding consumers back, but so is kidnapping. Numerous kidnapping reports have been filed against Uber drivers, rapidly declining Uber use yet again. Countless adults and teens use Uber as a method of transportation, and it is important that everyone stays safe and out of harm’s way.

 Here are a few tips and reminders to keep in mind while taking an Uber. Once your driver has picked you up, share your ETA with your friends and family so they can follow your route and know when to expect you. Protect your personal information by not sharing 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 gut, trust your instincts and use your best judgement when riding with the company. Uber also lets you choose your drivers. There is a system that lets you see how many stars each driver has to determine if that is who you want to be picked up/dropped off by. Drivers get their ratings by reviewing their riding experience. If you ever feel you are in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.

 Junior Leanna Coley said, “I use Uber all the time, and last year I was a little nervous to get in an Uber after all of the things I had heard, but it is a pretty safe system, and most of the time you end up with really cool drivers that try and get 5 star ratings so they pamper you.” Just remember to keep in mind the tips, and stay safe Wildcats.