This small feature has the potential to save lives.
Beginning today, the Uber app will trigger a notification to remind you to fasten your seatbelt immediately after the beginning of your journey. The ride-hailing service said in its announcement of the new safety feature that the tendency of passengers to not utilize a seat belt continues to be a serious problem. This is despite the fact that fifty percent of all deaths that occurred in car accidents in the United States in 2022 were caused by the non-usage of seat belts. You will now receive a reminder in the form of an audio message on your driver’s phone as you get on the vehicle. The message will say, “Please use your seat belt for your safety.” At the same time, you will also receive a push notification on your phone that reads, “Even on a short ride and seated in the back, use a seat belt for safety.” Additionally, you will receive this notification.
Based on the comments and suggestions made by drivers, the business initiated the testing of audio seat belt alerts in the year 2021. At the time, it stated that it is considering the possibility that the notifications will “increase the use of seat belts and help drivers ensure a safe environment while they are on a trip.” As a result of this deployment, it is now widely available in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Latin America, and several nations in Africa. It is Uber’s intention to expand its expansion into further regions in the future.
Following the launch of the function, the characteristic will only be activated for the initial five journeys that you take. Even while Uber will send you a notification every tenth trip after the initial five times, it is probable that the company is anticipating that you will become accustomed to wearing your seat belt after the initial five times. The company has also recently introduced a new safety preferences area, which allows users to locate and automate the various safety solutions that are available through the service. From that location, you will have the ability to immediately activate features such as audio recording, PIN verification, RideCheck, and Share My Trip.