With a new safety-focused program rolling out to millions of riders, drivers and delivery partners, Uber is using technology to raise the bar on safety in its European, Middle Eastern and African markets. With the introduction of new safety features, the company aims to double down on safety and help make the Uber community safer.
Features that will be introduced as part of the new rider and driver safety toolkit, include:
- Emergency button – With the push of a button in the app, riders, drivers and delivery partners can connect directly to private emergency services and security response when needed through a third-party private security supplier
- Trusted Contacts – Riders can now easily designate five friends or family members as “trusted contacts” and, with a single tap, share their trip information; this is customizable in users’ trip sharing preferences.
- Safety Centre – A new app-housed safety information hub where users can find information on some of the key existing safety tools in the app, including a 24/7 team, information on the driver and the car, trip GPS-tracking and the rating and feedback system.
- Speed alerts – A feature which reminds drivers and delivery partners to maintain a safe speed within the posted speed limits.
These new safety features will be a phased rollout; not all riders, drivers and delivery partners will have access to the features immediately.
“With more than 15 million trips on the Uber app every day, there is nothing more important than the safety of riders, drivers and couriers,” said Sachin Kansal, Uber’s global head of safety product. “Over the last year we’ve been working to develop innovative products that increase transparency, accountability and peace of mind for all users. The rollout of our new Safety Toolkit features across Europe, Middle East and Africa is the next step in making sure that we’re helping everyone stay safe and connected, wherever you might be.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has made safety a top priority for 2018. Since joining the company, he has introduced a number of changes including Injury Protection cover for driver’s, delivery-partners and riders, driving hour limits and Driver Share My Trip.
