12 Rideshare Safety Tips for Women

Let's talk about something that's become a part of our everyday life—ridesharing. Apps like Uber and Grab have truly revolutionized our commutes, making them safer and more efficient, particularly for women.

Over the years, and across countless cities, I've relied on these services extensively. Travelling solo has its fair share of challenges and adventures, and while I've encountered a few minor issues, they've never deterred me from exploring. Ladies, I firmly believe that our wanderlust shouldn't be overshadowed by safety concerns.

I feel pretty confident about rideshares during the day and with friends! Here I am with my friend Bora in a Grab car in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In this article, I’ll share some essential safety tips, crafted from my personal experiences. Though I'm focusing on women, since we often need to be extra vigilant, these tips are helpful for everyone. So, gents, stick around—you might learn a thing or two as well!

Yes, rideshare apps have built-in safety features, such as tracking and driver ratings, but a little extra caution can go a long way in preventing unpleasant incidents. So, let's dive into this comprehensive guide to safer ridesharing. With the right mix of prevention and preparedness, you'll be all set to continue your adventures with the confidence you deserve. Let's go!

1. Wait somewhere safe

No need to dart out of your comfy spot to wait for your ride. Stay inside and track your Grab or Uber driver on the app. Once they're just around the corner, that's your cue to head out. Always remember to check the license plate number on the app, don't just rely on the colour or model of the car. We don't want any mix-ups leading to awkward moments or worse, safety issues.

2. Double-check the license plate

Please take a second to check the license plate at the back of the car before hopping in. I do it every single time, without fail. You can glance at the driver's phone too, if it's visible, just to make sure your name and destination are up on their screen. It also never hurts to confirm your destination with the driver.

Quick true story: once, my phone had just died and was slowly coming back to life, courtesy of my power bank. As I'm waiting, this car pulls up—the same colour and make as my booked Grab ride—and the driver starts waving me over. It didn’t seem right and I couldn’t see his license plate, so I went near his window and asked him to show me his Grab app, and he casually goes, "Oh, I'm not a Grab driver, just offering free rides home." Um, no thanks!

I wish I could tell you I quickly noted down his license plate and reported him. But, truth be told, I was so taken aback that all I could do was yell at him about how sketchy he was. Hindsight's always 20-20, right? But here's the deal: I managed to dodge a potentially dangerous situation because I stayed vigilant and didn't let my guard down.

3. Never get in a vehicle that doesn’t match your booking

So, on that note… if the car that pulls up doesn't match the details on your app, but the driver says it’s them, hit cancel and book another. One of the main reasons I prefer Grab or Uber over regular taxis is the safety net of having a record of my rides and the ability to share my location. There have been a few instances where the car didn't match the details, and even if it's the driver's 'backup' car while theirs is at the mechanic’s, I prefer to wait for a ride where everything checks out.

Sure, they might be telling the truth, but on the off chance it's a ruse, I'd rather not risk it. Unfortunately, in some places, traffickers have been found to pull up at common rideshare pickup points in popular make-and-model vehicles.

4. Sit behind the driver

Personally, I feel safer at night sitting right behind the driver. No awkward eye contact, a safe distance, and a good vantage point. This probably stems from an experience I had years back when a taxi driver (pre-rideshare era) tried to convince me to slide into the front seat after dropping off my friend. We still had 15 minutes to go to my place, it was late, this was the pre-rideshare era and there were no other taxis around. I held my ground and stayed put, but it was so uncomfortable. Maybe he meant no harm? But my gut was screaming a big "NO", and I trust my gut. As should you. Ever since, I stick to my backseat spot.

Maybe I'm over-analyzing this, but hey, it's what makes me feel secure. What about you? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

5. Make Full Use of In-App Safety Tools

Don't you just love those friends who text you to make sure you've made it home safe? I sure do. If I'm leaving a friend's place late, I'll often hit that "share my ride" button on Grab or Uber. That way, they'll know I'm home when they get that alert. Grab's even got a great feature that sends you a check-in alert if your driver goes off course or stands still for too long (although, in Kuala Lumpur, it's usually just the traffic!). Haven't had to use the "I need help" option yet, but it's comforting to know it's there.

6. You don’t have to engage in conversation

Sure, you can strike up a conversation with your driver if you're up for it. But remember, it's perfectly okay not to. If they get a bit too chatty, it's fine to politely divert the conversation—tell them you're making a call or you need to get some work done. Personally, while I love a good chat at the right time and place, those late-night solo rides aren't the best time for personal Q&As. We all know how these can veer into uncomfortable territory. For example, in Asia, it’s common to get asked where I’m from, whether I’m alone or if I’m married, etc. My advice? Stick to casual, non-personal chat, if you choose to engage, being careful not to share personal information.

7. Follow the map on your phone

We've all fallen down the Instagram rabbit hole during rides, but it pays to keep an eye on your route. I like to follow the journey on the driver's phone if I can see it, or sometimes I'll pull up my own map just to double-check. If the driver decides to take a detour, don't hesitate to ask why. It's usually traffic-related, but you have every right to check and to ask them to stay on-course with Waze or Google Maps, if you want to.

8. Look alert (and don't wear earphones)

Whenever you're in a situation where you feel a bit vulnerable, it's crucial to appear alert. Looking too engrossed in your phone or jamming out to music with headphones might not be the best idea in this situation — it could keep you from noticing something amiss. One simple thing I worked on is leaving an event before I’m too tired. That way, I'm alert for the journey back.

Remember, these are just my personal tips based on my experiences. Always trust your gut feeling and prioritize your safety! Let me know what you think.

9. Party safely and watch your consumption

Now, this one can be a bit of a downer, but it's essential: watch how much you're drinking or partying, especially when you're out alone. Trust me, I was once in my early 20s too and didn't much like hearing this, but it's just the reality we're dealing with. People can and do take advantage when they see you've had a few too many, so hold your horses on happy hour. Drinking doesn’t only inhibit driving, it inhibits our better judgment, sharpness of senses and memory, too.

And, just a side note, always get and guard your own drinks (your girl here once had a drink spiked, but luckily made it home safe). In short, let's not let a fun night out cloud our judgment or make us less vigilant. This tip isn't just for the ladies—fellas, this one's for you too. Stay sharp when alone, especially at bars and parties or walking or taking a rideshare home.

10. Make a “see you soon” call

Ever had one of those moments where you're just not feeling secure? Try calling a friend and chatting about your "impending arrival" at their place—whether it's true or not. I've done this a couple of times when I felt like I was being followed. I can't say for sure if it worked, or even if there was a real threat, but it made me feel safer. I also have friends who will always see me off to the car and say “Call me when you get home” to add a similar layer of comfort. It really does help! It's just less likely that someone will try something if they know you're expected somewhere soon.

11. Don’t forget to rate your driver - and report if needed

Honestly, the rating system on Grab and Uber is a godsend—it keeps everyone accountable. After your ride, take a moment to use this system to thank the good drivers and flag the not-so-good ones. Thankfully, I've mostly had pleasant experiences, but on the rare occasion when a driver's made me uncomfortable, I make sure to drop their rating and leave a comment. Trust me, it's not petty—it's necessary. By reporting any sketchy behaviour, we're all helping make the system safer for everyone. So whether you had a five-star ride or a one-star disaster, let the platform (and future riders) know.

If you have a more serious incident, like harassment or a threat to your safety, then I also suggest calling a friend and strongly considering filing a report with the relevant authorities.

12. Keep your phone charged and connected

None of the above tips would do much good if you're dealing with a dead phone. Always ensure your phone is charged before you head out—I swear by my power bank—and I highly recommend getting a local sim card for constant internet access. This way, you can verify your ride, share your location, follow your route, reach out for help if needed, and even make that "see you soon" call.

Sharpen your intuition and enjoy your adventures!

So, wrapping this up, your safety should be your number one priority when travelling, including rideshares. Sure, these services have made getting around a breeze, and personally, they make me feel much safer. But that doesn't mean we let our guard down.

Friends, always remember to trust your gut. If something feels off, there's no harm in cancelling that ride and figuring out another way. No tip or hack can outmatch the power of your intuition. Being alert and taking steps to ensure our safety can make all the difference. Is it a bummer that we women need to stay extra vigilant? Absolutely. But we're not letting that curb our wanderlust one bit! ;)

I hope these tips give you that extra boost of confidence for your next rideshare journey. Stay safe, stay strong, and keep exploring! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this - leave a comment below or reach out on Instagram @lynneoutloud.

FYI: Grab is Southeast Asia’s primary rideshare company since it merged with Uber in 2018 in the region. This is the primary app for rideshares, food delivery and payments.

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