There are growing safety concerns after a South Carolina college student was killed March 29. South Carolina police say a 21-year-old student was killed after she got into a car she thought was her Uber. She was later found dead in a field 90 miles away from Columbia, SC.
In an email last week, rideshare service Uber sent an email to users sharing safety tips.
- Check the license plate and make sure it matches the plate number provided in the app.
- Check the make and the model of the vehicle.
- Check and make sure the driver photo matches the driver of the vehicle.
Rebecca Kirby, an Uber driver in Muncie, says passenger safety is a concern of hers.
“Unfortunately it’s really easy to get the Uber stickers and the top lights that go on your car,” said Kirby. “Just because somebody has those on their vehicles, does not mean that they’re an Uber driver.”
Another concern of Kirby’s is that of the drivers. She says she stays aware of her surroundings to keep herself safe while driving.
“I always roll the window down to make sure that is my passenger before I unlock the doors,” said Kirby.
Kirby also thinks rideshare companies should do more to help identify drivers to riders. One idea she has is to have them issue official company identification.
