How to stay safe while using e-hailing services: Tips for passengers and drivers

E-hailing services offer fantastic convenience; however, they also pose significant risks for both drivers and passengers.

Over the years, numerous incidents of e-hailing crime have occurred, ranging from assault to murder, impacting not only passengers but also drivers who are simply trying to earn an honest living.

As is the case with 22-year-old e-hailing driver, Thamsanqa Gumede, who was kidnapped and killed two weeks ago in KwaDabeka, KwaZulu-Natal.  

It is alleged that Gumede received a pick-up request, and reports from SABC indicate that his family stated his body was discovered dumped at Umngeni, exhibiting clear signs of physical trauma.

The month of May also saw operations across the country aimed at inspecting e-hailing vehicles and impounding of vehicles where necessary.

According to Arrive Alive, a total of 33 e-hailing vehicles were impounded at OR Tambo International Airport by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Taxi Task Team Officers and the Gauteng Traffic Police.

The vehicles were impounded and taken to Benoni Provincial Pound.

In light of these reports, the spotlight has been placed on e-hailing services and the safety and security of passengers and drivers.

What can passengers do to keep safe? How are e-hailing service companies ensuring the safety of passengers?

We list a few ways to improve your safety and security when using an e-hailing service.

For passengers

When requesting a ride, request your ride indoors and if possible, have someone see you off or know where you are going. 

Before getting in the car, check your ride carefully. Make sure the car make, model match and number plate match with what is shown on the app. For extra measure, you can check if the driver looks like the profile photo?

According to Uber, you can also ask to check the boot as well as take any other reasonable measures to reassure your safety.

Have the driver confirm your name instead of giving out your name at the first interaction. Then, after confirming your name, you can ask for their name.

Don’t forget to share trip details with loved ones. This will ensure that someone else is aware of your whereabouts.

As far as possible, only message or call the driver through the app. This anonymises your information between you and the driver.

If you feel something was amiss or the driver was being inappropriate, report and give feedback.

For drivers

Check your tyre pressure regularly as under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase the rolling resistance between the vehicle’s tyres and the road.

As you would with any regular car, your Uber vehicle should be serviced as often as possible. A badly maintained vehicle can result in problems such as partially blocked filters, poor oil performance and emissions control systems. These, in turn, can result in increased fuel consumption

Speaking of fuel consumption, using high-quality fuel works out better in the long run, allowing the vehicle to run more efficiently and enabling improved combustion quality.

Unnecessary idling should be avoided as it consumes fuel and produces emissions even while stationary. 

For the sake of the driver and passenger, drivers need to adhere to the rules of the road such as, sticking to the speed limit, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not texting while driving.

Drivers should always take a break if tired (before or after rides, of course.)

IOL