{"id":320980,"date":"2025-11-10T15:36:43","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T20:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?p=270607"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:36:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T20:36:43","slug":"ride-share-safety-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/ride-share-safety-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Rideshare Crime Rates and Safety Tips for Women: Understand the Risks of Your Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Fast facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Uber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe categories of sexual assault across 2019\u20132020 U.S. trips (about 0.0002% of trips, or roughly two in a million), and the report identified 20 fatalities from physical assaults associated with trips; experts also note many assaults go unreported, and no newer U.S.-wide totals have been published as of November 2025 (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uber.com\/us\/en\/about\/reports\/us-safety-report\/\">Uber\u2019s U.S. Safety Report<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-23-105325\">GAO<\/a> on data gaps).<\/li>\n<li>Weekend nights are the most common times for sexual assaults while using rideshare services.<\/li>\n<li>Uber reported 101 crash-related deaths across 2019\u20132020 in the U.S., and its platform\u2019s fatal-crash rate per mile remained below the national average in 2021\u20132022.<\/li>\n<li>Research links ridesharing\u2019s market entry to about a 2\u20133% increase in U.S. traffic fatalities (pre\u2011pandemic estimate). Overall U.S. roadway deaths declined in 2023 and continued falling in early 2024 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/press-releases\/2023-traffic-fatalities-estimates\">NHTSA 2023<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/press-releases\/traffic-fatalities-first-half-2024\">NHTSA 1H 2024<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Ridesharing safety<\/strong> is a growing concern as modern ridesharing provides a convenient alternative to public transport. However, it is essential to understand the associated risks. Despite numerous five-star rides, there is always a risk when taking a car ride with a stranger. From crime and violence to the potential spread of respiratory viruses (including COVID\u201119), ridesharing can be dangerous. It\u2019s crucial to protect yourself and understand the best ways to do so while using these services, following current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/guidance\/index.html\">CDC respiratory virus guidance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"toc\"><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#1\">Is Ridesharing Safe?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2\">Who Uses Rideshare and Why?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#3\">What Does Rideshare Insurance Cover?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#4\">Ridesharing Safety Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#5\">Understanding the Risks of Ridesharing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"1\"><strong>Is Ridesharing Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Industry trackers such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessofapps.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Business Apps<\/a> publish driver and market snapshots, but platforms do not release official rider gender shares. Nationally representative surveys point to near\u2011even adoption by gender overall\u2014see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/internet\/2019\/01\/04\/more-americans-are-using-ride-hailing-apps\/\">Pew Research Center<\/a>\u2014and the <a href=\"https:\/\/nhts.ornl.gov\/\">2022 National Household Travel Survey<\/a> supports parity in recent\u2011month use, with men somewhat more likely to be high\u2011frequency or late\u2011night riders. Past survey work by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gwi.com\">GlobalWebIndex<\/a> also showed substantial female usage. Safety perceptions continue to shape when and how people ride.<\/p>\n<p>Uber\u2019s latest U.S. safety data state: \u201cUber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe categories of sexual assault across 2019\u20132020, equivalent to roughly 0.0002% of trips (about two in a million). The report also identified 20 fatalities from physical assaults associated with trips over the two years.\u201d The same release noted 101 crash-related deaths, and Uber reports its motor\u2011vehicle fatality rate was 0.62 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the platform versus 1.10 nationally over that period. As of November 2025, neither Uber nor Lyft has published newer nationwide crime\u2011statistics totals; see Uber\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uber.com\/us\/en\/about\/reports\/us-safety-report\/\">U.S. Safety Report<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-23-105325\">GAO<\/a> on TNC data gaps, and Lyft\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyft.com\">Safety Report<\/a> (which documents 4,158 sexual assault reports across 2017\u20132019, including 360 rape reports, and 10 homicides).<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2\"><strong>Who Uses Rideshare and Why?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ridesharing continues to rise. According to a 2019 report by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/internet\/2019\/01\/04\/more-americans-are-using-ride-hailing-apps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pew Research Center<\/a>, 36% of American adults used ridesharing services\u2014a baseline that has since increased as adoption has mainstreamed. For the most current U.S. splits, the <a href=\"https:\/\/nhts.ornl.gov\/\">2022 National Household Travel Survey<\/a> provides recent\u2011month usage by gender, age, income, and urbanicity. Post\u20112022, usage skews toward airport\/leisure and events (with hybrid work softening weekday commutes), and contemporary mobility surveys indicate a near\u2011even gender split overall with men slightly more represented among high\u2011frequency and late\u2011night riders.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3\"><strong>What Does Rideshare Insurance Cover?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ridesharing drivers must have appropriate insurance. Standard personal auto policies often exclude \u201cdriving for hire,\u201d so many drivers need <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/why-you-need-rideshare-insurance\/\">rideshare insurance<\/a> or an endorsement. Major platforms provide period\u2011based coverage (up to $1,000,000 third\u2011party liability from acceptance through drop\u2011off, with UM\/UIM where required), while lower limits apply when the app is on but no trip is accepted. Both Uber and Lyft list $1,000,000 third\u2011party liability during trips and contingent collision\/comprehensive with a $2,500 deductible if you carry those coverages personally (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uber.com\/us\/en\/drive\/insurance\/\">Uber<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyft.com\">Lyft<\/a>). Note: California\u2019s minimum personal auto liability limits increased on January 1, 2025 (to 30\/60\/15)\u2014see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.ca.gov\/01-consumers\/105-type\/95-guides\/01-auto-liability-minimums\/\">California Department of Insurance<\/a>\u2014and some states add separate injury benefits (e.g., New York\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nybcf.org\">Black Car Fund<\/a>). The NAIC advises drivers to review livery exclusions and consider rideshare endorsements to avoid coverage gaps (<a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4\"><strong>Ridesharing Safety Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>For increased safety:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check driver or passenger ratings and recent feedback before accepting a ride.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm the driver&#8217;s identity matches the app profile, and use PIN\/QR ride verification where available.<\/li>\n<li>Be cautious during &#8220;high crime times,&#8221; such as weekend nights, and share your trip with Trusted Contacts.<\/li>\n<li>Research available safety features in rideshare apps before use, including the Safety Center, on\u2011trip reporting, emergency assistance, and optional audio recording where available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"5\"><strong>Understanding the Risks of Ridesharing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ridesharing presents various risks, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>COVID-19:<\/strong> Follow current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/guidance\/index.html\">CDC respiratory virus guidance<\/a>: don\u2019t ride or drive when sick; when returning to normal activities, take added precautions for 5 days (e.g., wear a mask), and maximize ventilation during rides (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/prevention\/index.html\">ventilation and prevention tips<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Auto Accidents:<\/strong> U.S. traffic deaths declined in 2023 and in the first half of 2024 (fatality rate fell to ~1.20 per 100 million VMT) per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/press-releases\/2023-traffic-fatalities-estimates\">NHTSA<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/press-releases\/traffic-fatalities-first-half-2024\">NHTSA<\/a>. Uber reports its platform fatal\u2011crash rate per mile remained below the national roadway rate in 2021\u20132022, but platform rates reflect trips on the app and not system\u2011wide externalities (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uber.com\/us\/en\/about\/reports\/us-safety-report\/\">Uber U.S. Safety Report<\/a>). Factors like speeding, impairment, and distraction raise risk.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sexual Assault\/Harassment:<\/strong> Uber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe sexual assault categories across 2019\u20132020 (about two per million trips) and 20 associated physical\u2011assault fatalities; Lyft documented 4,158 sexual assault reports across 2017\u20132019 (including 360 rape reports) and 10 homicides. Underreporting is widely recognized. No newer U.S.-wide incident totals have been published; see Uber\u2019s and Lyft\u2019s safety reports, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-23-105325\">GAO<\/a> on data gaps, and London\u2019s latest jurisdictional statistics for taxis\/PHV as a current benchmark example (<a href=\"https:\/\/tfl.gov.uk\/corporate\/publications-and-reports\/sexual-offences-in-taxis-and-private-hire-vehicles\">TfL 2023\/24<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Uber and Lyft continue to enhance safety protocols, including proactive trip anomaly checks, in\u2011app emergency assistance, share\u2011trip tools, PIN\/QR ride verification, continuous driver monitoring, and optional on\u2011trip audio recording in select markets; Lyft\u2019s Women+ Connect and Uber teen account safeguards are expanding in some areas (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyft.com\">Women+ Connect<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uber.com\/us\/en\/ride\/uber-teen-account\/\">Uber teen accounts<\/a>). As of November 2025, there is no standardized federal dataset for rideshare crimes, which limits comparability across platforms and jurisdictions (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-23-105325\">GAO<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/services\/cjis\/ucr\/nibrs\">FBI NIBRS<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2>Additional Resources<\/h2>\n<p>For further reading on ridesharing safety, visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.safetyresource.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Safety Resource<\/a> or check out our internal guide on <a href=\"\/ridesharing-safety-guide\">Ridesharing Safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fast facts: Uber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe categories of sexual assault across 2019\u20132020 U.S. trips (about 0.0002% of trips, or roughly two in a million), and the report identified 20 fatalities from physical assaults associated with trips; experts also note many assaults go unreported, and no newer U.S.-wide totals have been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":270811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1266],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Rideshare Crime Rates and Safety Tips for Women: Understand the Risks of Your Trip - Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It doesn\u2019t matter how many five-star rides a driver or passenger has had. 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