Uber Now Allows You to Select Your Preferred Driver for a More Comfortable Experience | Carscoops

      Female drivers and riders will soon have the option to request pairing with other women.

      This initiative will be introduced shortly in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

      Uber states that this step aims to enhance safety and comfort for female users.

      Growing up, many were advised against accepting rides from strangers. Little did we know that ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft would lead us to getting into the vehicles of strangers and paying for it.

      While most rides are safe and convenient, there have also been several cases of murders and assaults. According to Uber’s 2021-2022 US Safety Report, there were 36 fatalities from physical assaults, with 61% of those deaths involving the driver. Notably, in nearly half of these incidents, neither the driver nor the passenger was the perpetrator.

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      While fatalities are thankfully infrequent, sexual assaults occur too often. The report highlighted an alarming 2,717 incidents, a decrease from the 5,981 reported in 2017-2018.

      These statistics are concerning, leading some to be hesitant about using ride-hailing services for that reason. Uber is now addressing these concerns with a new pilot program aimed at improving safety for women.

      In the coming weeks, Uber will introduce a “Women Preferences” feature in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. When a female rider books a trip, an option labeled “Choose Women Drivers” will appear at the bottom of the screen, allowing them to be paired with a female driver. Users can still select a different driver if the wait time is longer than expected.

      Additionally, users can establish a preference for a female driver in the settings. As explained by the company, “While it’s not guaranteed, activating the Women preference boosts your chances of being paired with a woman driver.”

      Conversely, female drivers can also request to be matched with female riders. This option will apply even during peak hours such as evenings, though drivers can toggle the setting on and off to optimize earnings.

      Uber initially launched the Women Rider Preference feature in Saudi Arabia in 2019. It has since expanded to 40 countries, with the United States being the latest addition. Uber indicated that the program will eventually be available throughout the country.