In January, minister of Transport Dipuo Peters announced that festive season road fatalities had increased by 14%, with 1 755 lives lost during the holiday period. This means that alternative, safe transport options are of critical importance. Although it is much easier to be responsible, many people still drive under the influence. Uber have covered the basics of getting around over the festive season, so you can always make the safe choice.

Plan ahead?

Think your after-work drinks may include a few more glasses than expected? Plan in advance and take an Uber to work. You can even schedule your ride in advance so you don’t have to worry about breaking the festivities until your driver comes. Or, if the party takes you by surprise, rather Uber home, leave your car at the office and pick it up over the weekend. While this may seem like extra work at first, it is a lot less costly than compromising your safety and the safety of others by drinking and driving. 

Know that you’ll get a driver, even in peak times

Over festive periods, there is often a fear that there won’t be enough drivers to go around. As an ever-growing and evolving platform, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Uber runs a successful model called dynamic pricing, which allows users to get a ride when they need it most – especially during the busiest nights of year, like New Year’s Eve or after a big sporting event.

Current safety features

Uber is committed to safety and wants everyone to feel confident that Uber is a reliable choice this festive season.? The technology makes it possible to make safety improvements that were never before possible prior to Uber. When a driver-partner accepts your request, you see his or her first name, photo, vehicle colour, and license plate number. All rides are tracked using GPS and you can share your estimated time of arrival allowing loved ones to see your trip in real time (even if they don’t have the Uber app themselves).

Uber has also launched an in-vehicle SOS button in Johannesburg. The SOS buttons have been installed into 500 select partner vehicles and linked to Uber’s central security system, which includes 250 dedicated response vehicles.

Need help? We’re always here for you ?

We know there may be times when you need to get in contact: a purse left in a car or possibly an incorrect fare. Now, getting in touch is as simple as using our platform. Uber has created a global network of support centres to provide 24/7 support. Our simple, easy to use in-app Help function answers all your questions. Just tap “Help” and all the information you need is right at your fingertip.??

Have fun, without worrying about your ride??

When it comes down to it, the festive season is all about being carefree. It’s about taking care of the little things so you can have a good time. By taking advantage of ride-sharing options at your disposal, you don’t have to worry about parking, tipping the driver (our partners keep most of the fare), being ‘over the limit’ or how you’re going to get home. When it is this fun, easy and available, there is no reason not to always make the responsible choice.

For more information, visit www.uber.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.