The San Francisco-based ride-hailing and food delivery tech company Uber has made an announcement that it will integrate a 911-dial function into its app. Personal assaults and other safety-related issues are unfortunately a reality in the ride-hailing business. The launch of the 911-dial function will help both riders and drivers feel safer.
During a ride, riders can access Uber’s safety toolkit to text 911 a message that automatically includes information such as license plate number, destination, and location. The feature will also include bike lane alerts, ride verification using Bluetooth technology, on-trip reporting, and real-time identification checks for driver.
“We know that in an emergency, every second counts,” says Uber Senior Director of Product Management Sachin Kansal. “The combination of being able to text 911 through the app and being able to send the exact location through the Uber app is an absolute game changer, and law enforcement professionals tell us that this can potentially save lives.”
The app’s real-time ID verification feature will help Uber riders confirm that they’re getting in the right car with a unique four-digit code. This news comes shortly after The Washington Post reported on how Uber’s investigations team works to limit the company’s liability. Between 2014 and 2018, CNN reported 103 cases of Uber drivers being accused of assault or abuse of passengers.
Uber first added 911 assistance to its app in May 2018 in partnership with an emergency technology platform company called RapidSOS. Uber will launch this 911 text feature next month in Los Angeles in partnership with local law enforcement. Down the road, Uber hopes to launch the feature in additional markets throughout the U.S.
“It’s not just about interpersonal safety; it’s also about road safety,” says Kansal. “Safety on the platform is the most important thing. It’s an ongoing journey for us. It’s a long-term commitment; it’s not one and done. We’re putting a lot of resources behind that commitment.”