How many times have you walked up to a vehicle thinking it was your Uber or Lyft ride only to find that it wasn’t?
How many of you have gotten into a vehicle displaying the Uber or Lyft logo in the window only to find that it wasn’t your scheduled vehicle or that the awaiting vehicle wasn’t an authorized Uber or Lyft vehicle at all?
When you call for an App generated transportation service, you’re taking the same risk as people who used to (and perhaps still do) hack a ride at the grocery store. Years ago, the alternative to paying the high cost of a taxicab, for low income people was to Hack a ride, which meant you flagged down the car that was circling the neighborhood waiting for people who needed a ride.
The only difference was that the non-taxi cab drivers at that time were trying to earn a little money on the side to help feed their families, mostly on weekends and during the day. Paying as little as $5.00 to ride a few blocks with a stranger whom you trusted would take you safely to your destination was the norm. Most Hack drivers wouldn’t think of harming anyone nor would they fear being harmed.
Well that was then and here’s what’s NOW:
More than 120 Uber and Lyft drivers have been accused of the rape, sexual assault or kidnapping of their passengers over the past four years, according to reports.
An investigation by a major television network found a total of 103 Uber drivers and 18 Lyft drivers have been accused of sexual and violent offences following analysis of police reports, federal court records and county court databases across the U.S.
Of the 103 Uber drivers mentioned in the investigation, at least 31 drivers have been convicted for crimes including rape, forcible touching and false imprisonment, with dozens more criminal and civil cases still pending.
The television network reporter spoke to other women who were allegedly attacked by an Uber driver. In one case, a woman from Miami passed out in an Uber driver’s car following a night out with friends and woke up the next day in her apartment with her pants and underwear on the floor. The driver allegedly carried her into her apartment before sexually assaulting her.
What you need to know before getting into your Uber / Lyft or other App generated transportation vehicle:
Look at the tag number on the vehicle – does it match the App generated number?
Ask the driver’s name – Does it match the App generated name?
Look at the picture of the driver on the App – does the driver match the photo?
Lastly, Ask the driver to provide you the name of the person he or she is scheduled to pick up (your name should be given by the driver.)
If you’re overly cautious, text the vehicle and driver’s information to a trusted friend or relative.
If you have been affected by sexual violence, you can find help via the NHS. Rape Crisis offers specialist support for women and girls; and the The Survivors’ Trustsupports people of any gender.