Fast facts:
- Uber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe categories of sexual assault across 2019–2020 U.S. trips (about 0.0002% of trips, or roughly two in a million), and the report identified 20 fatalities from physical assaults associated with trips; experts also note many assaults go unreported, and no newer U.S.-wide totals have been published as of November 2025 (see Uber’s U.S. Safety Report and the GAO on data gaps).
- Weekend nights are the most common times for sexual assaults while using rideshare services.
- Uber reported 101 crash-related deaths across 2019–2020 in the U.S., and its platform’s fatal-crash rate per mile remained below the national average in 2021–2022.
- Research links ridesharing’s market entry to about a 2–3% increase in U.S. traffic fatalities (pre‑pandemic estimate). Overall U.S. roadway deaths declined in 2023 and continued falling in early 2024 (NHTSA 2023; NHTSA 1H 2024).
Ridesharing safety is a growing concern as modern ridesharing provides a convenient alternative to public transport. However, it is essential to understand the associated risks. Despite numerous five-star rides, there is always a risk when taking a car ride with a stranger. From crime and violence to the potential spread of respiratory viruses (including COVID‑19), ridesharing can be dangerous. It’s crucial to protect yourself and understand the best ways to do so while using these services, following current CDC respiratory virus guidance.
Table of Contents
- Is Ridesharing Safe?
- Who Uses Rideshare and Why?
- What Does Rideshare Insurance Cover?
- Ridesharing Safety Tips
- Understanding the Risks of Ridesharing
Is Ridesharing Safe?
Industry trackers such as Business Apps publish driver and market snapshots, but platforms do not release official rider gender shares. Nationally representative surveys point to near‑even adoption by gender overall—see Pew Research Center—and the 2022 National Household Travel Survey supports parity in recent‑month use, with men somewhat more likely to be high‑frequency or late‑night riders. Past survey work by GlobalWebIndex also showed substantial female usage. Safety perceptions continue to shape when and how people ride.
Uber’s latest U.S. safety data state: “Uber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe categories of sexual assault across 2019–2020, equivalent to roughly 0.0002% of trips (about two in a million). The report also identified 20 fatalities from physical assaults associated with trips over the two years.” The same release noted 101 crash-related deaths, and Uber reports its motor‑vehicle fatality rate was 0.62 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the platform versus 1.10 nationally over that period. As of November 2025, neither Uber nor Lyft has published newer nationwide crime‑statistics totals; see Uber’s U.S. Safety Report, the GAO on TNC data gaps, and Lyft’s Safety Report (which documents 4,158 sexual assault reports across 2017–2019, including 360 rape reports, and 10 homicides).
Who Uses Rideshare and Why?
Ridesharing continues to rise. According to a 2019 report by Pew Research Center, 36% of American adults used ridesharing services—a baseline that has since increased as adoption has mainstreamed. For the most current U.S. splits, the 2022 National Household Travel Survey provides recent‑month usage by gender, age, income, and urbanicity. Post‑2022, usage skews toward airport/leisure and events (with hybrid work softening weekday commutes), and contemporary mobility surveys indicate a near‑even gender split overall with men slightly more represented among high‑frequency and late‑night riders.
What Does Rideshare Insurance Cover?
Ridesharing drivers must have appropriate insurance. Standard personal auto policies often exclude “driving for hire,” so many drivers need rideshare insurance or an endorsement. Major platforms provide period‑based coverage (up to $1,000,000 third‑party liability from acceptance through drop‑off, with UM/UIM where required), while lower limits apply when the app is on but no trip is accepted. Both Uber and Lyft list $1,000,000 third‑party liability during trips and contingent collision/comprehensive with a $2,500 deductible if you carry those coverages personally (see Uber and Lyft). Note: California’s minimum personal auto liability limits increased on January 1, 2025 (to 30/60/15)—see the California Department of Insurance—and some states add separate injury benefits (e.g., New York’s Black Car Fund). The NAIC advises drivers to review livery exclusions and consider rideshare endorsements to avoid coverage gaps (NAIC).
Ridesharing Safety Tips
For increased safety:
- Check driver or passenger ratings and recent feedback before accepting a ride.
- Confirm the driver’s identity matches the app profile, and use PIN/QR ride verification where available.
- Be cautious during “high crime times,” such as weekend nights, and share your trip with Trusted Contacts.
- Research available safety features in rideshare apps before use, including the Safety Center, on‑trip reporting, emergency assistance, and optional audio recording where available.
Understanding the Risks of Ridesharing
Ridesharing presents various risks, including:
- COVID-19: Follow current CDC respiratory virus guidance: don’t ride or drive when sick; when returning to normal activities, take added precautions for 5 days (e.g., wear a mask), and maximize ventilation during rides (ventilation and prevention tips).
- Auto Accidents: U.S. traffic deaths declined in 2023 and in the first half of 2024 (fatality rate fell to ~1.20 per 100 million VMT) per NHTSA and NHTSA. Uber reports its platform fatal‑crash rate per mile remained below the national roadway rate in 2021–2022, but platform rates reflect trips on the app and not system‑wide externalities (Uber U.S. Safety Report). Factors like speeding, impairment, and distraction raise risk.
- Sexual Assault/Harassment: Uber received 3,824 reports of the five most severe sexual assault categories across 2019–2020 (about two per million trips) and 20 associated physical‑assault fatalities; Lyft documented 4,158 sexual assault reports across 2017–2019 (including 360 rape reports) and 10 homicides. Underreporting is widely recognized. No newer U.S.-wide incident totals have been published; see Uber’s and Lyft’s safety reports, the GAO on data gaps, and London’s latest jurisdictional statistics for taxis/PHV as a current benchmark example (TfL 2023/24).
Uber and Lyft continue to enhance safety protocols, including proactive trip anomaly checks, in‑app emergency assistance, share‑trip tools, PIN/QR ride verification, continuous driver monitoring, and optional on‑trip audio recording in select markets; Lyft’s Women+ Connect and Uber teen account safeguards are expanding in some areas (Women+ Connect; Uber teen accounts). As of November 2025, there is no standardized federal dataset for rideshare crimes, which limits comparability across platforms and jurisdictions (GAO; FBI NIBRS).
Additional Resources
For further reading on ridesharing safety, visit: Safety Resource or check out our internal guide on Ridesharing Safety.
