Uber Technologies Inc. has introduced an ‘On-Trip Reporting’ tool which enables riders ‘snitch’ on their drivers, reporting non-emergency safety incidents even during the ride without the knowledge of the driver.
The safety feature allows users report issues that made them feel unsafe, but that weren’t ultimately harmful in real-time instead of waiting until after the trip has ended.
According to Uber, its research reveals that riders may not be consistent in their report of uncomfortable ride experiences since most will be too busy and distracted after the trip.
On-trip reporting is now live in the US, so if you ever feel unsafe while on a trip, you can immediately and discreetly report it to our safety team.
Learn more → https://t.co/kjBo0lSqXJ pic.twitter.com/UN3qtyVaqq
— Uber (@Uber) February 19, 2020
In 2018, Uber introduced an in-app panic button that lets riders contact security agencies immediately. But some incidents don’t necessarily require calling the police or any other law enforcement agency.
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Incidents like the driver sending a message or receiving a call while driving, not paying enough attention to the road, brakes too hard, making inappropriate remarks or other potential safety issues are issues Uber wants users to report using this tool.
According to Uber, reports made during the trip won’t be shared with the driver. “By eliminating barriers to reporting safety issues, our goal is to encourage more reporting which will ultimately help make the app safer for everyone.”
Users can find the new option in their Safety Toolkit. Once they tap this feature, they will be able to report a non-emergency safety issue while still on the trip which Uber’s safety team will follow up with after the trip.
This new feature comes as Uber has been under fire often times for not doing enough as regards security. In its U.S. safety report for 2018, the company disclosed that 3,045 sexual assaults occurred during Uber trips, 9 people were murdered during Uber rides, and 58 people died in auto-related crashes.
Now the hope will be that riders don’t abuse this new feature to report drivers for incidents not worth it like not driving fast enough. The feature is available starting today in the US and Canada and will be rolled out globally soon.
Yetunde Adegoke
