When you're looking to make some extra money, taking a job driving for Uber is always an excellent idea. You can make tons of money on your schedule, and even meet tons of cool people along the way. However, if you're doing Uber for the first time, you must educate yourself on how to Uber safely. To do just this, here is a useful guide that covers eight important safety tips for Uber drivers:
1. Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions
You should keep yourself fully focused and attentive every time you find yourself behind the wheel. Avoiding distractions keeps you safe, and everyone else on the road safe as well. When you're Ubering, the chances for you to be distracted are significantly increased. To help yourself stay focused, you must practice dealing with customers' needs, directions, and other Uber-centric distractions before you begin taking on clients.
2. Always Use a Cell Phone Mount
Cell phone mounts have become an absolute must for all safety-conscious drivers. If you have to handle your phone every time your directions become uncertain, you'll be highly distracted and prone to accidents. And here's some good news: phone mounts rarely cost more than a few dollars. For the safety and comfort they provide, the dollars you'll invest into a phone mount will end up being one of the best purchases you've ever made. After all, saving money and earning more is one of the key reasons you started Ubering in the first place.
3. Ensure Your Car Insurance Policy Covers Your Uber Services
Many new Uber drivers simply assume that an insurance policy they have will cover them while they are Ubering. However, this is not the case in some instances and can cause you to be liable for damages if you get into an accident while Ubering. Before you begin transporting passengers, be sure to reach out to your insurer to go over your policy, that way you can update it to cover you while you're Ubering if it does not already cover you.
4. Make All Passengers Wear Seatbelts
Keeping yourself safe requires that you wear a seatbelt, but when you're driving an Uber, other passengers become your liability, so you must make them wear a seatbelt at all times as well. If you find yourself in a situation where a passenger is being difficult, and refusing to wear a seatbelt, you must cancel the ride and contact Uber to update them on the situation. After all, this is your vehicle, and you deserve the respect of your passenger when transporting them.
5. Stay Calm in Stressful Situations
Many stressful situations can arise when you're behind the wheel, and if you're Ubering, the potential for stressful situations to pop up increases dramatically. Learning how to keep your stress levels down in these instances will keep you and your passengers as safe as possible. If you're worried about your ability to do this, it may be a good idea to take a course to help you with your stress management skills.
6. Know What to Do in Case of a Wreck
If you're Ubering and find yourself in an accident, there are three steps that you must immediately take. Firstly, you must ensure that everyone involved in the accident is safe and sound. Secondly, you must notify paramedics and police if they are needed to assist with the aftermath of the accident. Lastly, gather all needed information and contact Uber's help department ASAP. If you find yourself in a wreck while Ubering, it can be useful to have legal representationl like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to assist you.
7. Choose Safe Drop-Off Zones
When you're dropping off a passenger, you must find a safe drop-off zone to do so. Avoiding high-traffic areas, and never stopping in the middle of traffic is crucial. You want your passenger to have the ability to exit with ease, and with plenty of time to exit comfortably. Otherwise, you put yourself in a situation where you or the passenger could be injured by a driver who is not paying attention to your drop-off.
8. Avoid Inclement Weather
Poor weather conditions are incredibly dangerous to drive in and can lead to a ton of stress and distractions while you're behind the wheel. If you want to stay as safe as possible and keep yourself from being liable for potential accidents, you must avoid driving in inclement weather if at all possible.
Always Uber Safely
When you're Ubering, your job is not only to get your client to their destination speedily but safely as well. With these eight tips, you'll be assured that you can drive in a focused, safe, and stress-free manner. After all, there's no reason your side gig has to become an extra burden in your life.
