How to be safe as an Uber or taxi passenger in the UK

Uber passenger safety concerns have been raised on several occasions over recent years, sparking debates about the danger of private hire vehicles. In their first safety report in 2019, Uber reported that more than 3,000 passengers were sexually assaulted, while 9 passengers were actually murdered. 

Couple this with some alarming road traffic accident figures from 2021, and a simple taxi ride becomes that much more risky. Here's everything you need to know about Uber and taxi passenger safety for your next trip.

Despite their similarities, there is a distinction between an Uber, a Hackney carriage and a minicab. 

Uber specifically refers to the transportation company and app, which allows passengers to hail a ride from anywhere. Uber drivers are hired as independent contractors, who own their own car and pay a 25% fee back to the company. 

Minicabs are private hire vehicles that are available for pre-booking only via a private hire operator. They can't be hailed off the street and can't use bus lanes or taxi ranks, but operate solely on an advanced arrangement. 

A Hackney carriage is also referred to as a black cab, or London taxi. It's any carriage that can be hailed in the street and is licensed to collect passengers from a taxi rank. Generally, they look like London style black cabs with an illuminated ‘TAXI' sign on the roof. 

Is Uber safe?Is it safe to get an uber alone? These questions have garnered a lot of discussion over the years, but they're almost impossible to answer. An Uber can be safe, just as driving itself can be safe, but there are several precautions that should be taken. 

Before you travel

• Only use licensed taxis

An important safety tip for taking a taxi is to check whether your taxi is a legally registered rideshare service, or official taxi. If you're in an area you're not familiar with, make sure you know what official taxis in the area look like. 

• Book in advance

Whenever possible, you should always try to book your taxi in advance with a company you know and trust. Booking ahead means you'll know when it will arrive and where, which means you can be sure you're getting into the correct cab.  Planning your trips ahead of time is always best where safety is concerned. 

• Check and save emergency contacts

It's always a good idea to be prepared for a worst case scenario. Save a list of trusted friends and family members as emergency contacts on your phone and keep them updated on your location. If anything should happen, someone with your phone will know who to contact. 

• Charge your phone in case of emergencies

How many times has your phone run out of battery just as you need it? We've all been there. Making sure your phone is charged before you get into a taxi, or even carrying an emergency battery pack with you, is an important safety precaution. 

During the journey

Uber passenger safety doesn't end when you open the door to your cab. There are a number of things you can do during the journey that will help you stay as safe as possible. 

• Confirm your booking name and destination

A taxi driver should confirm your name when they pull up, which will help make sure you're getting into the right cab. You can also confirm their name, and some companies even send a text with the vehicle registration number as confirmation. 

• Look for the driver's licence and ID

Taxis and PHVs should be required to provide certain information to passengers, including a driver photo ID and the vehicle licence number. This information can usually be found on the back of the driver's seat. 

• Sit in the backseat

The question of how to be safe in an uber may come from your seating position. Sitting in the backseat means you're less visible to the driver, and in a better position to get away if something feels wrong. 

• Always wear your seatbelt

According to Direct Line Group, almost a third of people killed in cars on Britain's roads weren't wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injuries 

With a 61% increase of taxis and private hire vehicles on the road since 2005, the danger of these services isn't limited to physical attacks, but to road traffic accidents also. 

In the same report, Uber stated that 58 riders were killed in crashes. It's also reported that since the introduction of ridesharing services in U.S. cities, there has been a 2-3% increase in the number of motor vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents.

If you have an accident in a taxi or Uber, it's important to take the following steps to avoid further injury and support your claim: 

• Assessing your injuries and the injuries of others 

• Seeking medical help if required  

• Taking photographs of the scene of the accident 

• Getting the driver's details and anyone else involved in the accident

• Get the details of witnesses present

What happens if your uber driver gets in an accident? The next step would be to contact a personal injury solicitor who specialises in personal hire vehicle claims.

In the eyes of the law in the UK, Uber drivers and taxi drivers are the same, and both need to obtain a specific insurance type, which is called private hire insurance. This type of insurance is designed specifically for drivers who are licensed to carry passengers for hire. Generally, private hire insurance offers three types of coverage: 

• Third-party only

• Third-party fire and theft 

• Comprehensive

It's also advised that private hire vehicles get public liability insurance, although it isn't compulsory. 

Public liability insurance ensures that taxi and Uber drivers are protected whenever passengers are in their care, and safeguards against any unforeseen circumstances.

Uber drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles, but they're also responsible for the lives of their passengers. If you were injured in an Uber accident, you could receive compensation in a number of ways, depending on the circumstances of your crash.

If you've been injured as a passenger in a taxi or Uber, you may be able to make a claim for car and taxi passenger compensation. If the accident happened due to negligence by the other vehicle, you could claim against the other driver's insurance. If the driver of your taxi or Uber was at fault, you could pursue a claim against the taxi firm they work for. 

Find out more about making a taxi or Uber compensation claim by speaking to us on 0800 376 0150 or start your claim online.