Are UBER, OLA & Other Cab Aggregator Apps Safe for Women? Here are some Safety Tips for Female Passengers

As much as disappointing it is to state, traveling in India for a woman is not safe. The growing number of crimes against women, while they are commuting, is on a rise. In a recent incidence, a 24-year old in Haryana was allegedly locked inside the car by its driver who sexually harassed and threatened. When she tried to escape the driver activated the car’s central locking system thus preventing her from escaping. The car was not even registered with Uber and the driver too was different, which again poses security risks in such cases. Although the driver identified as Sanjeev alias Sanju has been arrested, this is not the sole incident of harassment within the cabs.

How much ever the authorities try to provide safety or the service claiming to be safe, the best precaution is when you are self-prepared for an untimely incident. You can never know when a problem strikes and the best is to be cautious. You never want to end up as a victim of such unfortunate incidents. Here are some basic safety tips for women who commute alone or take private taxi/cabs very often:

Send cab details to close friends or family: When you book a cab through the apps like Ola and Uber, you get all the details. You can take a screenshot of it and send it to your friends or family. If you are hailing a normal cab, still make sure you take a picture of the cab with the number plate visible and send it to someone.

Use the GPS tracker: A GPS tracker enables your exact location which you can share with your friends or family. Always keep it On till you reach your destination. You can track which route your cab driver is taking and not heading to a secluded spot. You may know your route but it is still advisable to keep the option turned on.

Carry pepper spray: A pepper spray is the easiest way of diverging your attacker’s attention and giving you enough time to escape. In any case of physical assault, you can spray it on the person and run to a safe spot. So always carry it in your bag regardless of where you are traveling.

Learn self-defence moves: Even if you are carrying a pepper spray, there are chances that you may take time to take it out and spray it on your attacker. This process may take some extra seconds but in an assault like case even those are crucial. So the best is to use your physical strength and fight the attacker. Learn some basic self-defence moves and do a little practice with your brother or someone close. You need to learn how to defend yourself in any situation. You own strength matters most over giving in to your attacker.  Remember the eyes, nose, ears are sensitive areas to attack.

Do not doze off: Most of the times we prefer going by cab because we are tired after a long day. But as tired as you may be, do not sleep off in the cab. It is like giving an opportunity to your driver to take advantage. They may lead you to unknown places, take longer routes, go the secluded ways and it will be easier for them as your first reaction on seeing an unknown destination would be panic. So never sleep while you are hailing a cab, irrespective of the time of the day.

Pretend that you know even if you don’t: When you sit in a cab, it is wise to ask a few questions to the driver about the route you’d take. And show that you know the roads leading to your destination. Even if you do not know, do not show it to the driver. Your ignorance can be his chance to take you through unknown lanes. Pretend that you are knowledgeable about the way and area, even if you are not. It is wise to read up a little near about the place if you are heading somewhere for the first time.

Try and be on a call with someone while you are commuting: If you are traveling alone make sure you do not let the driver of your cab feel that. Try and make some calls, be it to your friends or relatives. Also make it a point while talking to state your location, where you are heading, by what time you will reach and stuff like that. So that the driver doesn’t divert you. Also whenever you are on call do not discuss your financial matters, your PINS and any related details.

Be alert at all times: This is the most important when you are traveling alone. Be aware of the surroundings, if you sense something fishy start taking the necessary measures. Make calls or pull up your pepper spray from the bag. Be alert and do not panic instead.

These are some basic tips which you should always remember while you are traveling alone, then be it in a cab, rickshaw or a bus. If you are traveling late at night then it is also your responsibility to ensure your safety. So the next time you are heading somewhere alone then keep in mind these simple tips. Also, share them with your loved ones. Do you have any other safety tips which we might have missed on? Do let us know.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2018 05:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).