With Uber and Lyft coming back to Eugene and Springfield, students have more resources to get around town or go to events.

While this resource is a great way for students to get home safely after a night of drinking and  for their peers to earn some money, there has been situations of college students around the country having to escape fake Uber or Lyft cars.  

Here are a few tips to stay safe when getting a ride.

1. Share your expected arrival and trip information with someone, even if it’s sending it to a friend just in case. You can share this information through the apps or by just sending a screenshot. This helps people know where you are and who is picking you up, and they can report that information to the police if they need to.
2. Ask the driver who they are there for: Instead of asking drivers if their name is ‘so-and-so’, ask who they are there to pick up, or ask what their name is and see if it correlates with the name on the app. You can also check the plates on the car before getting in.
3. Try not to be alone: While this also cuts costs, it ensures that you’re not alone in a car with someone you don’t know, and it’s harder for a driver to divert from the route if they’re outnumbered.
4. Have them drop you off at a public place. If you don’t feel safe letting a stranger know your address, you can have them drop you off at a nearby store or bar and walk. This works for short or familiar distances.
5. Have a personal protection device. At the University of Oregon, personal protection devices are allowed on campus, including pepper spray, collapsible batons and stun guns (but does not include guns or knives). UOPD also offers self-defense classes, and the UO offers self-defense courses for physical education credits.
6. Safety lines. If you are in a dangerous situation, always call 911 first, but Lyft also has a 24/7 safety line that connects you with a live person to help guide you through situations. Uber is also adding a direct way to call 911 through their app. Look through each app and know where these options are in case you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

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