Follow these tips to know that you're getting in the right car and how to seek help during your ride.
How can riders stay safe when using Uber?
After aspiring lawyer Samantha Josephson was killed by a man police say she mistook for her scheduled Uber driver, passengers are reminded about the risks of taking rides from virtual strangers.
Security expert Steve Kardian talked to Inside Edition and gave tips for people using the ride-sharing app.
The Uber app will send passengers important information before the ride begins, Kardian explained. That information includes your car's license plate number, make and model. Kardian stressed that riders should confirm that the car that pulls up matches the details given in the app.
In addition to matching the car to the information in the app, Kardian said riders should open the rear passanger door and ask the driver who they are picking up.
"If it's not your name, it's not your car," Kardian said. "Dont get in under any circumstances."
One factor that kept Josephson from escaping her alleged killer's car was the child locks that were turned on. The student couldn't open the rear doors from the inside. Kardian said Uber riders should always check that the child locks are turned off.
Kardian explained that the switch will be located on the rear door of many cars. Check the switch, Kardian said, and be sure it is in the off position before entering the car. That way, you can exit the car at any time without trouble.
The Uber app also offers a "Share Status" feature. This option lets customers share their ride information with a trusted friend or family member. They will receive the driver's name, photo, license plate and location, and they can even track the trip and see its estimated time of arrival and the destination.
While the Uber app has a built-in emergency feature that can call 911 and share trip details with dispatchers, there are third-party safety apps users can download as an extra precaution when booking a ride in a stranger's car. For example, Siren GPS and Noonlight can discreetly contact emergency officials, such as police or paramedics, with the touch of a button.
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