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Book through the official app, verify the driver and vehicle before you get in, and share your trip with someone you trust. During the ride, buckle up and stay aware of the route. If you feel unsafe, prioritize getting to a safe place and call your local emergency number if there is immediate danger. App features and emergency options vary by service and location, so check what is available before you travel.
Before you request a ride
Choose a safer place to wait
When possible, request the ride from inside and wait there until the app says the driver has arrived. If you cannot wait indoors, choose a well-lit spot away from the roadway where a car can stop safely. Plan a drop-off point where you can get out safely, too. These location choices follow advice from Uber and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Keep the ride tied to your account
Request the trip in the official app and do not accept an unsolicited ride from someone who approaches you. Booking in-app gives you the trip details and the platform’s available safety and support tools. Avoid sharing more personal information than the ride requires.
Set up safety features in advance
Check the app’s safety settings before you need them. Uber’s optional “Verify your trip” setting can require a unique four-digit PIN for every trip or only for trips at night; Uber defines night for this setting as 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Availability and labels can change, so check the current settings in your app.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by 9V Battery: The door stop alarm powered by 9V battery, One piece can be used for a year under normal circumstances. Very practical. (Please note: Battery not include)
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- 3 Level of Sensitivities: High-Medium-Low Sensitivities, which can be adjusted according to your own needs.
- Loud Alarm: Very loud shrill that would definitely scare someone away with 120db alarm. Weight: 4.5 oz.
- Easy to Use: No installation required, Simply place the alarm behind any inner pull door (home, hotel, etc). very convenient to take with you when travel or stay indoor alone. A really must have around you.
Where trip sharing is available, share the ride with someone you trust. Uber says a shared view can include the driver’s name and photo, license plate, location, and estimated arrival time. Confirm what information the feature shares in your app.
When the car arrives, verify it before getting in
Compare the arriving vehicle and driver with the booking in the app. NHTSA advises: “Before getting into a ride-hailing vehicle, make sure the car and license plate match what you booked through the app.” Check all three details:
Rank #2
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Each Birdie Box comes with 1 portable mobile door alarm featuring loud siren and strobe light, built-in flashlight that works when alarm is OFF, USB charging cord, 3 sets of Command Strips for easy installation plus 2 extra sets, and user manual for quick setup. Get the perfect door alarm for traveling, apartment safety, dorm security, and home essentials for peace of mind protection.
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- License plate
- Car make and model
- Driver photo
Do not rely on a matching color, rideshare logo, or a verbal claim alone. Uber suggests asking, “Who are you here to pick up?” rather than offering your name first.
If you enabled Uber PIN verification, give the PIN only through the intended pickup verification process. The matched driver should need it to start the trip. If the driver or vehicle does not match, do not get in. Move to a safer place and contact the platform through the app; contact local authorities if there is an immediate threat.
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Rank #3
- ATTENTION-GRABBING: Extremely loud 110dB alarm helps wake/alert homeowner or renter when vibration is detected, helping deter intruder and possibly notifying neighbors (audible up to 680-feet/205-meters away)
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During the ride
Use the back seat and buckle up
When possible, sit in the back seat, especially when traveling alone. Uber says this provides personal space and lets you exit on either side rather than stepping into moving traffic. Wear your seat belt even on a short trip; NHTSA also advises making sure the driver is belted.
Stay connected without losing awareness
If available, share your live trip or status with your trusted contact. Check that the trip is progressing as expected, but avoid staring at your phone throughout the ride. Keep calls and messages within the platform where possible: Uber says its in-app communications mask your phone number, though the feature can fail during an outage. Uber also says pickup and drop-off addresses are masked in driver trip history, with variation by location.
Rank #4
- 【Quick Alarm】When the distance between the alarm and the magnetic sensor exceeds 0.78 inches, the door alarm will sound an alarm and the LED light will come on, TECKNET alarm system for home security can quickly alert you to any abnormality of the door and window.
- 【3-Level Volume Control】Door alarms for kids safety can also be used as a pool door alarm, garage door alarm or sliding door alarm. The window alarm sensors with 3 levels of volume control are the perfect solution for apartments, mobile homes, offices, hotels, garages and more.
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Act if you feel uncomfortable
Discomfort is a valid reason to reassess the situation. Uber says riders can end a ride if they feel unsafe. If you need to stop, choose a public, populated place when possible, then move to safety. Call the local emergency number if you are in danger; do not stay in a troubling situation merely to avoid inconveniencing the driver.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do in an emergency or after an incident
Call emergency services when there is immediate danger
Use your local emergency number in an immediate emergency. Uber describes an in-app emergency button that can connect riders to 911 and provide live location and trip details to share with the dispatcher. Lyft directs riders to call 911 and describes an in-app “Get emergency help” path through ADT; Lyft says ADT may contact 911 with location details if the rider does not answer.
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- 130dB Deafening Siren + Flashing Strobe Light – Double Deterrent Triggers an ear-piercing 130dB alarm and a bright flashing strobe light the moment a door or window is opened. This powerful combination scares off intruders and alerts everyone nearby, effective day or night. Perfect for home, hotel rooms, dormitories, apartments, and rental properties where security is a top concern.
- 3-in-1 Multi-Function Design – Alarm, Doorbell & Night Light Switch between three useful modes: Alarm Mode triggers the loud siren for security; Chime Mode plays a pleasant "Ding Dong" sound when someone enters, perfect for stores or nurseries; Night Light Mode provides soft illumination or strobe light, great for hallways, bathrooms, or kids' rooms. One device, endless uses.
- Built-in Flashlight & Night Light – Dual Illumination for Any Situation Integrated LED flashlight works even when the alarm is off, helping you find keyholes in the dark or navigate unfamiliar hotel corridors. The night light function offers steady soft light for nighttime comfort, while the strobe light adds extra visual deterrence. Never fumble in the dark again.
- Portable, Rechargeable & TSA-Friendly – Security That Travels With You Compact 2.36" x 1.89" x 0.67" design fits easily into a backpack or suitcase. USB Type-C rechargeable with 210mAh battery – 1 hour charging gives 2 hours of alarming or 4.5 hours of lighting. No batteries to replace, TSA-friendly, and ready for any trip. Perfect for hotels, Airbnb, cruises, and college dorms.
- Simple No-Drill Installation – Rental & Apartment Safe Attach securely using the included reusable adhesive strips – no tools, no screws, no wall damage. Position within ½ inch of the door frame for instant trigger. Easy on/off switch lets you turn off the alarm before opening the door, avoiding false alarms. Works on doors, windows, sliding glass doors, even hotel room entrances. Landlord and dorm approved.
Lyft also describes a RapidSOS live-agent pilot in Canada. According to Lyft, an agent can coordinate with 911 and share location and vehicle details. The company says this pilot is not available in Puerto Rico, although its 911 feature remains available. These are location-dependent pathways; check the options shown in your app rather than assuming the same feature works everywhere.
Report the incident once you are safe
Contact the platform’s safety team through the app after reaching safety. Lyft describes its Safety Team as available 24/7, and Uber describes a 24/7 response team. These are company statements, not a guarantee of a particular response or outcome. Keep relevant trip information or screenshots if they may help with your report, but do not delay getting to safety to collect them.
What rideshare assault statistics can—and cannot—tell you
Government data do not provide a complete picture of assaults involving rideshare and taxi drivers or passengers. In its report released July 24, 2026, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) said there is no federal requirement to collect these data and that available sources have substantial gaps. The report’s figures describe specific datasets and periods, not an individual rider’s odds of harm.
- Los Angeles police data recorded 424 rideshare- and taxi-related assaults from 2021 through 2023.
- Chicago police data recorded 109 such assaults from 2023 through 2025.
- In each city, the count was less than 1% of all reported assaults in that city and period.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 20 nonfatal injuries to taxi and rideshare drivers due to violent acts by other people in 2023–2024, excluding self-employed drivers.
- Across two companies whose disclosures covered billions of rides, 52 fatal assaults and 4,469 incidents in the five most serious types of sexual assault were publicly reported for 2021–2022. GAO said those companies had not reported assault counts for 2023–2025 as of June 2026.
These figures come from different sources and time windows; they cannot be combined into a national rate or used to compare unlike periods. Company disclosures are not a complete accounting of all incidents. GAO’s assessment describes the limits of available data, not whether a particular trip is safe or unsafe.
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