Beginning right this moment, the Uber app will remind you to place in your seatbelt shortly after your experience begins. Passengers’ tendency to not use a seat belt stays a major concern, the ride-hailing service wrote in its announcement of the brand new security characteristic, though 50 p.c of all automobile crash deaths within the US in 2022 was brought on by their non-usage. Now, your driver’s cellphone will situation an audio reminder once you hop on, telling you to “Please use your seat belt to your security.” You may additionally get a push notification in your cellphone on the similar time that claims: “Even on a brief experience and seated within the again, use a seat belt for security.”
The corporate first began testing audio seat belt alerts in 2021 primarily based on suggestions from drivers. It stated on the time that it believes the alerts will “enhance seat belt use and assist drivers guarantee a secure atmosphere whereas on a visit.” This rollout makes it extensively obtainable within the US, UK, Taiwan, Latin America, in addition to a number of nations in Africa. Uber intends to deliver it to extra territories sooner or later.
The characteristic will solely be enabled to your first 5 journeys after the characteristic launches. Uber is probably going hoping you will get used to placing your seat belt on after these first 5 occasions, although it would ship you a notification each tenth journey thereafter. The corporate additionally not too long ago launched a brand new security preferences part the place you will discover and automate the service’s security instruments. From there, you’ll be able to mechanically change on options like audio recording, PIN verification, RideCheck and Share My Journey.