Better to be safe than sorry.
It’s important to know the safety basics when getting into an Uber or Lyft, like double-checking the car’s license plate and having the driver say your name before getting in.
Now, the newest piece of safety advice for passengers is not to accept anything edible from a ride-share driver.
A woman named Dannah Eve, who has a background in criminology and psychology, explained on social media that most drivers who offer a bottle of water, a mint or a snack to their passengers are just trying to be friendly.
However, there is a small chance that some of the drivers who offer these goodies do not have the best intentions.
“I’ve unfortunately heard way too many horror stories. Even if the bottled water or snack is sealed — Eve said, “it’s not worth the risk.”
“Politely decline and never ingest anything. There are, unfortunately, very bad people out there and remember your safety comes before anybody else’s feelings,” she added.
Another seemingly obvious but helpful reminder as a ride-share passenger is to be aware and present in the moment.
“Stay off your phone. Head up and be aware of what’s going on. Be aware of the direction you’re heading in,” Eve said.
“A distracted person is an easy target. Don’t be one.”
While we’re on the topic of staying safe in ride shares, an unexpected tip from a TikTok user is to leave definitive physical evidence — like strands of hair and fingerprints — in an Uber of Lyft “just in case something horrific should happen.”
This sort of behavior might sound neurotic, but based on the many shocking comments of the video, this sort of precaution is necessary, especially for women.
“I had an Uber driver lock me in his car until I gave him five stars and a nice comment,” a commenter wrote.
“I got kidnapped … he took me to a field … somehow I talked and manipulated my way out of it by being nice to him,” chimed in another person.
Some commenters offered other helpful advice: “Get in, open the door again always. Act like it didn’t close right. Make sure there’s no child lock on!” advised one person.
“I always pretend I’m on the phone with someone as I enter. I’ll usually be like, ‘Okay, I’m getting in the Uber, I’ll send you my location, love you bye,’” another person wrote.
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