In recent years, ride-sharing services have been on the rise and are very convenient for users. In addition, the technological nature of Uber and Lyft help find a ride simply by clicking a button on their apps, making them quite popular and hip. For students, ride-sharing is especially useful if there is no access to a car, or mooching for rides is becoming all too frequent. However convenient ride-sharing services may be, it is still important to remain aware of your surroundings, as ride-sharing requires hopping into a stranger’s car. Here are some ways you can ensure a smooth ride from Point A to Point B:

Verify Everything

Before you even get in the vehicle for your ride-share, be sure to verify the vehicle details. Check you ride share app to confirm the vehicle that has stopped to pick you up matches the color, model, make, car type, and license plate shown on the app. In addition, only enter the vehicle after seeing the driver’s face and matching it to your assigned driver’s picture on the app. This is especially important if a vehicle has tinted windows. The driver will know your name, so make sure you confirm with them first who they are looking for, and in return ask them for their name before getting into the vehicle. For better safety, sit in the back seat to avoid making yourself or the driver uncomfortable. An extra tip is to verbally confirm with the driver where the end destination is. If you happen to know the exact route of your drive, ask the driver what route they will be taking to confirm they will be driving in the right direction.

Ride with someone else (if possible)

Whether it’s your friends, significant other, or family member, ride-sharing can become more safe when there are two people riding together. As four eyes are better than two, you have a helping hand in making sure the ride goes smoothly. It also makes verifying details easier and creates an environment that is safe for you. If you are comfortable, some ride-share apps allow you to ride with other random passengers, another way to ensure safety in the form of another person. If you are alone, call or text one or a few people to tell them where you are going, the planned route, and the time you entered the vehicle.

Know Your Route

If you know the exact route of your ride, then props to you. During the ride, it will become much easier for you to judge whether the driver is following the right directions to get you to Point B. Furthermore, some ride-sharing apps allow you to monitor where you are going in the event you are not familiar with the roads you are traveling on. From the moment you sit in the car, you have complete access to a map to confirm you are headed in the right direction.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

It is important to stay vigilant and aware of where you are driving, but of the driver as well. Keep a tab of the driver’s body language and if they are talking to you, be weary of what type of questions they may be asking. For safety purposes, take a picture of the vehicle license plate for good measure before heading out. Moreover, keep track of where the vehicle is going with your own eyes as well. Using phones may become a distraction, especially if they are being used during the entire ride, as they hinder your ability to completely pay attention to the driver and where you are headed.

In the wake of several negative incidents with ride-sharing, services such as Uber and Lyft also have safety features on the app to ensure riders have the safest experience with their ride. If at any point you feel a driver is making you uncomfortable before the ride, politely cancel the ride. There is nothing more important than your safety when using ride-share services. Staying aware, informed, and following several techniques will help create a smooth road to your destination without any potholes.