CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 2, 2019) – AAA Carolinas is reminding motorists that although ride-sharing services are a safe and reliable alternative to driving intoxicated, it is important to take the proper precautions when using them.
“A tragedy that hits close to home recently took place in Columbia, South Carolina involving the death of a young woman who mistakenly got into a vehicle thinking it was her Uber, said Tiffany Wright, President of AAA Carolinas Foundation for Traffic Safety. “We believe that ride-sharing services are a wonderful tool for cutting down on drunk driving and getting people to and from places safely, and just like with other services, they should be used with caution.”
When calling for a ride-sharing service, such as Uber or Lyft, AAA Carolinas recommends:
- Check that the license plate, driver photo, driver name and vehicle description all match what is listed on the app before getting into the vehicle.
- Be vigilant when using the service and be aware of your surroundings upon entering and exiting the vehicle.
- If the app allows, share your route with friends. Some apps have a “share status” in the app to share your driver’s name, photo, license plate and location with friends and family that allows them to track your trip and see your ETA. If the app does not have this, screenshot the details and send to someone.
- If you feel you are in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
- If you do not feel safe traveling alone or getting into a vehicle after you’ve been drinking, use the buddy-system with friends or consider the “pool” option on the app that picks up other passengers along the way.
AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2.1 million member and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
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