Kansas City Police Urge Ride-Share Safety

From the Kansas City Police Department:

May 19, 2021

As capacity and gathering restrictions are lifted at area bars and restaurants and more patrons use ride-share services, police urge them to do so safely.

Ride-share companies help prevent drunk driving, but they can come with risks, as well. KCPD has investigated numerous past cases in which victims got into a ride-share vehicle they either didn’t order or did not match the description of the driver/vehicle they did order. This can lead to being a victim of a violent crime, from robbery to sexual assault.

Ride-share companies provide a list of helpful tips to ensure the safety of your ride. Some of the most important from Uber include:

Check Your RideWhen you request a ride, complete these 3 steps to make sure you’re getting into the right car with the right driver:

1. Match the license plate number.
2. Match the car make and model.
3. Check the driver’s photo.

Have the driver confirm your name

In addition to the Check Your Ride safety steps, you can also ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car. Your driver sees your first name in their app, and your driver’s first name is displayed to you in your app. To safely exchange names, you can ask, “Who are you here to pick up?” The driver may also ask you to confirm their name for their own peace of mind.

Request your ride inside

Minimize the time that you’re standing outside by yourself with your phone in your hand. Instead, wait inside until the app shows that your driver has arrived.

Stick together

End the night the same way you started it: together. Think about making a plan with your friends in advance to leave the bar or club with a buddy or as a group.

If you feel unsafe, do not get into the vehicle. You can also call 911 to request a police officer.

This press release was produced by the Kansas City Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.