A college student’s recent Uber ride took a frightening turn when the driver ignored her request to stay on the app’s route. What was supposed to be a simple trip to work ended with her stranded on the side of the road, sparking concerns about ride-share safety for students.
The student, who asked to stay anonymous, said she booked Uber like she always does for her job. But during the ride, she noticed the driver was taking a different route from the one shown in the app.
Feeling uneasy, she asked him to stick to the original path. “I told him I felt safer following the route in the app, but he kept saying it was a shortcut and didn’t listen to me,” she said.
Things got worse when the driver started arguing with her, insisting his way was faster. Even though she repeatedly said she didn’t feel comfortable, he grew frustrated and told her to get out if she didn’t like it.
Not wanting to stay in the car, she got out and called her sister to pick her up from the side of the road.
This incident highlights a growing concern for students who use ride-share services like Uber and Lyft. These apps are popular with college students because they’re convenient and affordable, but situations like this show that there are still safety risks.
According to the National Institute for Transportation and Communities, young adults and students increasingly depend on ride-share services for commuting due to convenience and cost-effectiveness. Yet, a 2022 NITC report also highlights a growing number of passengers, particularly women, who have expressed feeling vulnerable during rides where drivers take unexpected routes. The report stresses that ride-share companies need to ensure their drivers respect passengers’ requests and prioritize their comfort.
When asked about the situation, Uber said in a statement, “Safety is our highest priority. We encourage riders to communicate with drivers about their route preferences. All trips are GPS-tracked, and riders can use the emergency button in the app or share their trip details with others.”
While these features are helpful, passengers often still feel vulnerable in situations where their concerns are ignored.
“I just wanted to get to work safely,” said the student. “It’s scary to think this could happen to someone else. Uber and other ride-share companies need to make sure their drivers understand that our safety comes first.”
This incident is a reminder for students to stay alert when using ride-share services. Experts suggest sharing ride details with friends or family and using safety tools like Uber’s emergency button when needed.
As ride-sharing becomes a regular part of life for young people, it’s clear that companies need to focus on training drivers to respect passengers’ concerns and stick to the rules. Simple changes like better communication and stricter accountability can go a long way in making rides safer for everyone.