New —and old— safety measures for new age commuting

QUEZON City, Philippines (January 21) – With the advent of ride-sharing apps, their safety levels are quite impressive. Two leading apps, like Uber and Grab Car, provide the full information of the driver; his photo, plate number, car model and contact number. Instinctively, the passenger would share these details to their friends and family for emergency. But what if the given unpredictability of events dug you into possibilities of rape, holdap, and kidnap by the driver and his cohorts? Here are the tips to ensure your safety before and duringyour ride inan Uber, or GrabCar, vehicle.

1. Stay alert- exhausted you may be from the night out or over time, your lack-of-sleep slumber shouldn’t be spent inside a vehicle. Who knows what could happen?
2. Report aggressive driving- beating the maximum speed rate and similar cases should be reported to the feedback system.
3. Pick a driver that has a good rating- it’s obvious. Their ratings can be seen on the driver’s interface.
4. Turn on your tracker/GPS- for emergency and if a crime does happen, a piece for investigation.
5. Avoid dressing up and wearing jewelry when not needed- it can be a cause of malicious intent of the driver.
6. Hide money in uncommon places- safety pocket of your trousers, inside your shoes, etc.
7. Be updated on latest modus and commuter-related crimes- remember the taxi chemical spray modus? See, new cases and new angles of ways are invented and done every season. Better be updated to know what to do when stuck in those situations.

(written by Rex Felix C. Salvador, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)