University of Missouri asks students to take safety precautions using ride-hailing services
The University of Missouri is asking students to take safety precautions when using ride-hailing services by asking one important question: “What’s my name?”
Chancellor Alexander Cartwright sent an email to students Tuesday. He suggested that before getting into a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft, you should first check to make sure the license plate, make and model, color, and driver’s photo and name match that of the car and driver picking you up. Once you get into the car, Cartwright said to ask the driver “What’s my name?”
Sara Diedrich, the public safety information specialist MU, also suggested texting or calling family members or friends when you are using a ride-hailing service.
“But ultimately, we ask our students to follow your instincts and follow your best judgment using ride share. If there is ever a time you feel that you are in an emergency situation, don’t hesitate to call 911,” Diedrich said.
Several MU students told ABC 17 News that they already take similar safety precautions when using a ride-hailing service.
“On the app, it does show you the driver’s name, their appearance, it shows a car, usually the car type and the model,” freshman student Andrew Peterson said. Peterson also said he makes sure the driver knows his name before he gets in.
Uber also has a list of safety tips for riders on its website.
The extra safety precautions at the University of Missouri follow the death of a student at the University of South Carolina who was attempting to use a ride-hailing service. A driver killed Samantha L. Josephson after she got into a car she thought was her requested vehicle.
The South Carolina House passed a bill named after Josephson to require ride-hailing services to post illuminated signs on their vehicles to make them easily-recognizable.
The City of Columbia previously created regulations on ride-hailing services, but former Governor Eric Greitens signed legislation in April 2017 that lets services like Uber and Lyft operate freely across the state.
According to Uber’s website, “Uber driver-partners in the US go through a multi-point screening check for their driving and criminal history before they are authorized to take trips through the app. Every rider has access to safety features built into the app and a support team if you need them.”
Last year, a man was arrested in Columbia due to a separate incident involving the ride-hailing service Uber. Anthony Rowell, an Uber driver, was charged with attempted abduction.
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