Uber has announced new safety measures for the safety and of its riders – measures that will also offer those using the app some peace of mind on their travels.
The safety measures are the product of a new technology which can detect whether drivers are taking unusual routes, extended stops or finishing rides in a different location to the destination set.
Should any of these situations arise, the app will now prompt both driver and their passenger to see if everything is okay. This ‘reaching out’ gives individuals inside the vehicle the ability to tell Uber how they are – whether they are fine or need action to be taken. If action needs to be taken emergency services can be contacted via an emergency button.
Uber’s announcement of these new safety measures comes as a result of increased concern about the safety of women – following the cases of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa to name a couple. The move also comes in the wake of widespread travel issues which have been created by the closure of the Night Tube during the pandemic as well as increased taxi costs.
Uber is now also working with Home Safe, the donation-based organisation that provides free vouchers to those who need help getting home. This initiative is created to offer affordable, safer journeys home – an alternative to walking in the dark or waiting alone for a bus.
Bex Xiao, head of community operations at Uber has said: ‘We know that when it comes to safety, our work is never done, which is why we will keep listening, learning and innovating’.