Ridesharing services are a revolutionary technology that utilizes smartphone apps, and they work on Android and iOS platforms alike for easy compatibility with most handheld devices. Uber and Lyft — the two main services — work by connecting passengers with drivers located within their local areas. These apps provide you with details about the drivers and their vehicles, and they also give you other important information like how much the ride costs and when to expect the driver to arrive. These services typically eliminate cash transactions by processing payments for ridesharing electronically.
Equipping yourself with strategies for navigating the potential dangers of rideshare apps is important for anyone, but especially so for older adults, whether they live on their own or in assisted living. Use these tips to prevent issues from arising in the first place so you can enjoy rides around the Fort Worth area confidently and with peace of mind.
Whether you’re leaving or getting dropped off at your house, apartment or assisted living facility, well-lit locations for entering and exiting the vehicle make safer choices than darker areas. Choose public spaces or stretches with ample street or building lighting when you’re using rideshare services at night, and carry a flashlight with you if you need to walk any distance to your destination. If you have the option, consider installing motion-triggered lighting at your entryway so you have a brighter spot to enter and exit your home.
Enhance the safety of your ride by verifying all the driver’s details before you enter the vehicle, and have your driver confirm their name upon entry. Uber and Lyft let you confirm the driver’s identity and car information, including the license plate number, before pickup. In fact, these apps prominently display this information when you arrange a ride so you don’t have to dig for it through multiple menus. These proactive measures help ensure you always get in the right car and the driver has undergone a thorough background check.
Before you use a rideshare service, tell a friend, family member or staff member at Bethesda Gardens Fort Worth all the details provided by the app, such as the driver’s name and license plate number, and information about your trip, including where you’re going and how long you expect to be there. Again, Uber and Lyft make this simple by letting you share the status of your trip, including pickup point and destination, with people on your contact list when you feel the need for added security.
When your Uber or Lyft driver picks you up, be sure to get in the back seat. Rideshare apps are an alternative to taxi services, so they work best when you treat the experience in a similar way. Getting in the back seat lets you maintain your personal space and stay away from the driver physically, and it also gives you more opportunities to get out of the vehicle if you feel like your safety is compromised during your trip.
While there may be times you want to relax and enjoy the ride, such as when you’re sharing an Uber or Lyft with friends, traveling on your own has special risks no matter your age. That’s why you want to stay alert and aware of everything that’s going on around you throughout the ride. Keep your smartphone in your pocket or purse during solo travel, and don’t go to sleep, even when you’re headed home late at night, to avoid compromising your personal safety.
Emergency features within Uber and Lyft ridesharing apps simplify making calls to 911 for added safety during your ride. You can further mitigate risks by having your emergency contact numbers pulled up and ready to go should the need arise to call, and be sure to charge your smartphone well before you travel to prevent powering down at inopportune moments.
After you’re back at your home, your apartment or Bethesda Gardens Fort Worth, be sure to rate your ride. By providing feedback through the rideshare app, you can reward your driver with praise or bring up issues that made you feel uncomfortable with your ride. Not only does this let Uber and Lyft provide accountability to drivers, it also helps others using the rideshare apps know what to expect when they arrange trips with those drivers.
Whether you live at Bethesda Gardens Fort Worth, other assisted living or on your own, using rideshare apps makes transportation easier. These safety tips for rides with Uber and Lyft help you move about the area with confidence and maintain independence well into your golden years.
