Whenever you don’t feel like driving or after a late night in the city (and a few drinks), you can whip up your phone, hail a Bolt, Lyft, or Uber, and be on your merry way. Ridesharing services, although not without their problems and controversies, are a solution that makes the lives of urbanites everywhere a little bit easier.
With over 2.3 billion global users in 2019 (according to Statista), the rest of the world agrees. However, things change when kids are involved. Plus, if you’re traveling with a baby, ridesharing is suddenly a lot less straightforward. Ride safety and comfort become your main concerns.
But how can you ascertain the safety of your ride just from the info on the app? In this post, we’ll dive into six key factors to consider when booking a Lyft or an Uber for a family ride.
1. Check Driver and Vehicle Details
Drivers must have a picture of themselves and correct details about their vehicle registered in the app. You will be informed of the driver’s name and car details (plate number, color, and model), so before stepping in, double-check the information.
Take a few seconds to check these details to make sure you’re getting into the right car. Also, avoid riding with drivers who have low ratings or no rating at all! It’s best to wait longer for a better-rated driver than risk the safety of your family.
2. The Car Size & Seat Dilemma
All ridesharing apps allow you to select the size of the car, which is extremely useful when traveling as a family. In all fairness, a bigger car will be more expensive, but if you’re two adults traveling with children plus luggage, it’s best to play it safe.
Next, there’s the car seat dilemma. When you’re traveling with young children, you have to either have your own car seat and booster or select a family/child-friendly ride that comes equipped with one.
This aspect is important because in many countries it is illegal to have a young child in the car without a proper seat. So, even if you choose a regular car, the driver can (and most will) refuse the ride if you don’t have the proper equipment. It’s too much of a liability for them and a risk for your children.
3. Keep Emergency Contacts Handy
Life is unpredictable. Even when you take all safety precautions, accidents can happen. Accidents happen even when you’re the driver, in your own vehicle.
Therefore, it’s best to be prepared for the worst, especially when accompanied by children. Keeping emergency contacts handy is one way to do so. Make sure you have local emergency service numbers, numbers of family members or friends who can help in a crisis, and the number of a good lawyer.
If you and your family often use services like Bolt, Lyft, or Uber, it’s a good idea to look for a local lawyer with experience in rideshare accident cases. These cases are a bit more special, especially when it comes to insurance, so you want someone who knows how to handle the situation.
4. Share Your Ride Status
Most ridesharing apps let you share trip updates with a family member or a trusted friend. This feature sends your real-time location, so the person on the other end knows when and where you’re traveling.
You can use this feature even if you’re in a different country on a family vacation. You never know when things could go wrong, so it’s reassuring to have someone back home watch over you.
5. Choose Well-Lit Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
You can choose the pick-up and drop-off spots (it’s a feature in all the apps). For your safety, make sure these are in a well-lit, busy area. Avoid secluded or dimly lit locations, especially if you are the only adult with young children or traveling alone.
Being in public view deters suspicious behavior and ensures you’re easy to spot by the driver.
In Summary
Ridesharing services have made moving around a city easier and more accessible, but also pose some extra safety concerns. So make sure you are well-informed on which services are most reliable in your area and take all the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.