Uber safety tips Australia

Rideshare services like Uber, DiDi and Ola have been vastly adopted due to their convenience and ease of use. In fact, nearly 28% of Australians use rideshare services in 2024. But is Uber safe? What about DiDi or any other rideshare service? 

Whilst ride sharing might feel safe, it can still pose similar risks to getting in a car with a stranger.  Here we talk you through Australia’s ridesharing safety statistics, some tips on how to stay safe and what you should do if you've been involved in an incident using a rideshare service. 

Uber safety statistics in Australia

Uber has been criticised for its safety record after 2021 findings revealed that the rideshare service failed to report more than 500 serious incidents.  

For over 18 months, reports of sexual assaults and crashes that hospitalised people were made against the rideshare conglomerate. In another Australian audit, Uber was found to have:  

• failed to ensure its drivers were adequately completing their online training requirements;  

• allowed drivers to work extreme hours (including shifts of up to 17 hours); and  

• allowed drivers with multiple complaints of distraction or drowsiness to drive on the road. 

Despite these safety concerns, rideshare services have continued to surge in popularity particularly during busy periods like Friday and Saturday nights, as well as during peak holiday season, like Christmas and New Year's.  

While Uber has made moves to address these safety issues, particularly focusing on keeping women safe who travel at night, there are still risks every time you get into  a car with someone who is essentially a stranger. So, before using your next rideshare service, make sure you know these safety tips to help get you home safely.   

Uber safety tips in Australia   

1. Perform an Uber car check. Double-check your driver and the car’s details before getting in your ride. Check that the car and license plate match the details you were given in your app and check the driver’s photo. Before entering the vehicle, ask the driver for the name of the passenger they’re waiting for before revealing your name.  

2. Sit in the back seat. If you’re asking yourself, ‘should I sit in the front or the back of an Uber’? The answer is, it’s, safest to sit in the back seat. Riding in the back seat gives you some distance from the driver, and the ability to exit the car if you need to avoid a dangerous situation.  

3. Choose a rideshare that performs police checks. The big names do police checks here in Australia, so you can be confident in Uber and DiDi police checks, for example. But if you’re using a smaller rideshare service, double check before making a booking.  

4. Always wear your seatbelt. Always wear a seatbelt for your safety and to avoid penalties.  

5. Travel in groups where possible. The old saying, ‘there’s safety in numbers’, rings true in these situations, especially if passengers are intoxicated. If you are travelling alone make sure you tell a friend or family member when you’re getting picked up and the end destination (as well as what time you expect to arrive). If you feel uneasy during the trip, give them a call and chat while you travel.  

6. Follow along with your own GPS. You can use your phone’s maps app to check that the driver is using the most efficient route and more importantly taking you to your desired destination.  

7. Tracking feature. Many rideshare services provide a tracking feature for added safety for their customers. Tracking functions can let your loved ones know exactly where you are on your journey and that you have arrived safely.  

8. Give feedback. Make sure you rate your driver and leave helpful and honest feedback. This step is often skipped but is an important part of rideshare safety as it will ensure good drivers stay on the roads and prevent bad ones from getting more work.  

9. Report your Uber driver. If your driver has done anything untoward or illegal, report them. You may be protecting the next rideshare user. 

How to report an Uber driver 

If you’ve experienced anything illegal or that has even made you feel uncomfortable, it’s very important that you report your rideshare driver. Each will have their own system, but reporting to Uber is easy.  

Simply open the Uber app, go to Help, select the relevant trip, and submit a message to their support team. If the incident is illegal or you feel your rights have been violated, contact the police directly. And if you feel unsafe while travelling, you can use the in-app emergency button and the police will be contacted for you.   

Uber also has 24/7 customer service which you can reach by calling them directly via the Uber app. 

What to do if you're involved in an accident as a passenger in an Uber or other rideshare vehicle?  

If you are involved in a crash while you're a passenger in a rideshare car, you should:  

1. Seek medical attention as soon as possible for any injuries. Your well-being is the most important factor after an accident.  

2. Gather identification information from your driver and other drivers involved in the crash. This should include their full name, vehicle registration and the name of their compulsory third-party insurer. If possible, and if safe to do so, take a photograph of your driver’s licence and vehicle, including the rideshare logo sticker.  

3. Report the accident – contact the police and report the incident.  

Shine Lawyers – we’re here to help

If you’ve been injured as a passenger in an Uber, DiDi, Ola or other rideshare service, or perhaps as a pedestrian, Shine Lawyers may be able to help.  

Our team of expert motor vehicle compensation claim lawyers can help you to understand your rights and access your full entitlements on a No Win, No Fee basis*.

If you’re eligible to also access benefits through your superannuation our team will provide you with tailored advice to help you seek the best outcome.   

To get started, use our free online booking tool to see if you’re eligible for a claim or speak to one of our experts over the phone.

*Conditions apply