Uber has added various new safety features to the app. They introduced these features at the recent “safety first” conference.
These features are being added as an extra protection layer for passengers and drivers alike. Uber has always added new and improved safety features. The new features added this time are:
RideCheck 3.0: RideCheck is an old feature which has been updated. Previously the RideCheck feature would send out a notification to the passenger and the driver asking if everything was okay. If it detected an unusually long stop.
Now the technology has been updated to also inform the passenger if the driver takes an unexpected route or ends the trip before the passenger’s final destination.
Audio rear seatbelt reminder: This feature was added in regard to the new laws being taken into action. In this feature there will be an audio reminder for the passenger to wear a seatbelt, this audio reminder will come from the driver's phone. The passenger will also get a push notification asking them to wear a seatbelt.
Expanded support: Uber has launched a 24/7 safety line connecting passengers to a live support agent. You can access this feature by either dialling 88006-88666 from your phone or by the option present in the uber app. Using this feature passengers can report any safety issues during the trip, and till 30 minutes after. Uber has stated that the support centres based in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam will be able to answer 99% of the calls within the first 30 seconds.
SOS Integration: This is also an updated feature. Uber already has an in-app emergency option which connects passengers and drivers to their local emergency number but now the SOS Integration feature will send the person's live location along with critical information to the local police. This feature is already up in Hyderabad, and Uber hopes to bring it to major metro cities soon.
Revamped safety toolkit: This is an easily accessible feature which allows the passenger to call the emergency number, share their location or access other safety options with a click of a button.
Sooraj Nair, Head of Safety Operations, Uber India and South Asia has said “We believe that safety never stops and will continue looking at solutions to improve safety on our platform,"
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