Uber Adds 911 Panic Button For Users

NASHVILLE, TN – In an effort to offer its users a greater sense of safety, the Uber ride sharing service has enhanced its app so riders can call 911 directly should an emergency arise. The enhancement, which was announced by the company on Tuesday, comes as it has had to fend off reports of passengers assaults during rides.

Meanwhile, Uber also is testing an additional safety feature: automatic location sharing with 911 dispatchers. The tests are being conducted in Nashville and Chattanooga, as well as Denver, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; and Naples, Florida.

"Every second counts in an emergency," said Sachin Kansal, Uber's Director of Safety Products, in a statement to Patch. "We want to make sure our users get help quickly with accurate information if faced with an emergency situation."

To use the 911 calling feature, users can simply click on the Safety icon in the lower right corner of the app. Users then can select the 911 Assistance button in the menu and then tap a red Call 911 button. The app shows users their location, so they can tell that to 911 dispatchers.

The location services is intended to automatically convey that information to dispatchers without having a caller tell the dispatcher. According to a report in TechCrunch, the automated location service is expected to be rolled out nationwide this summer.

Users can also simply use their phone to 911. The 911 service is not available in the Uber driver app, though it is expected.

Uber will not be monitoring the 911 calls, but will know if and when a call has been made via the app, according to the TechCrunch report.

Across the nation, there have been multiple reports of drivers for the ride sharing service accused of assaulting passengers. In one case, in Boston, a driver was accused of raping a drunk passenger in March. In another case in Georgia, a driver was arrestedafter being accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-year passenger.

Image courtesy of Uber