Uber Improves Safety for Riders and Drivers With an Updated Toolkit GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Smart & Connected Life
Uber Improves Safety for Riders and Drivers With an Updated Toolkit
Even ADT is getting involved
By Rob Rich Rob Rich News Reporter College for Creative Studies Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on August 30, 2022 11:54AM EDT Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Western Kentucky University Gulf Coast Community College Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart & Connected Life Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Uber's Safety Toolkit has been given additional features to give riders more options if something doesn't feel right about their ride. Rideshares like Uber are incredibly commonplace and convenient for many, but they can also be dangerous for both riders and drivers. It's something Uber (as well as other companies) has been working to address over the years. Now the company has taken another incremental step with an update to its in-app Safety Toolkit. Nisian Hughes / Getty Images The feature has been adjusted so that tapping the safety shield icon during a ride will pull up a menu full of large, easily-identifiable icons representing your different options. As either a rider or driver, you can report safety issues directly to Uber and share your trip status with friends and family. ADT (the alarm company) is also getting involved via an added feature to get in touch with one of its safety experts. Connecting with ADT will allow the safety expert to monitor your trip and stay in contact (through text or over the phone), and they can contact 911 on your behalf, if necessary. It's intended as a sort of safety net for non-critical situations when direct assistance may not be necessary. Uber Texting 911 through the Uber app has been available for some time but was previously limited to only a few key areas. Now, according to Uber, about 60% of the US can use the feature, including New York City and the entirety of California. All you have to do is select the option, and the app will prepare a text that includes your destination info, current location, and details of the vehicle you're in. Once sent, you can continue to update the 911 operator as needed. All of these Safety Toolkit updates should be available now through the Uber app. Residents of Milwaukee, WI, should be aware that ADT can't call 911 for them due to local ordinances, however, contacting 911 directly through the app will still work. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Which Is Cheaper: Uber or Taxi? Lyft vs. Uber: What's the Difference? How to Cancel Uber How to Delete Your Uber Eats Account How to Split an Uber How to Delete Your Uber Account How to Update Drivers in Windows What Is Lyft and How Do You Use It? 10 Best Free Driver Updater Tools (October 2022) What Is Uber Eats And How Does It Work? Apple Car: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors ADT vs. Ring: Which Smart Security System Is Best for You? What Is Amazon’s 'Alexa Guard' and How Does It Work? On-Demand Taxi, Private Driver, and Rideshare Apps Beginner's Guide to Uber Some Great Reasons You Should Not Buy Hoverboards Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies