On the surface, being a taxi or rideshare driver seems like a pretty straightforward role, ferrying passengers to various locations throughout the day and night. However, when you’re dealing with strangers on a day-to-day basis, unpredictability is inevitable.

Assaults and robberies are unfortunately experienced by taxi and rideshare drivers, with general poor behavior from passengers also a by-product of the job. These factors can have severe physical and mental consequences for drivers, especially when they have nobody there to help.

In this article, we’ll further explain the dangers experienced by drivers across the US, while outlining different ways in which drivers can keep themselves safe.

Driver assault and robbery statistics

Taxi and rideshare drivers are vulnerable to physical attacks and homicides, many of which are linked to robbery. Aggressors will target taxi drivers for a number of reasons, including the fact that drivers will almost always be operating alone and they’ll largely be out of sight from the public.

Many taxi drivers operate on a cash-in-hand basis rather than through card payments or bank transfers. This also contributes to their vulnerability to robberies.

The latest available data suggests that between 2016-2022, there were approximately 47,957 non-fatal victimizations of taxi drivers in the US. In terms of fatal attacks, the number is expected to be between 20 and 60 times more frequent than in other jobs in the US.

Drivers who work throughout the night are more vulnerable to attacks, whether fatal or non-fatal.

Despite the statistics for assault and robbery against drivers already being alarming, they are unlikely to tell the full story. That’s because many taxi and rideshare drivers across the US are independent contractors, who don’t report the aggression they have faced to official sources. This lack of reporting stems from an unwillingness to lose income from taking time off work or generally not feeling safe enough to do so.

Assaults on drivers that work for taxi companies may not be reported to official sources either. Instead, many taxi companies keep their data and investigations in-house, further muddying the national statistics. As late as 2024, there is no federal requirement to collect assault data on taxi and rideshare drivers.

Late night shift dangers

Taxi or rideshare drivers who work throughout the night are more vulnerable to harm, whether it’s at the hands of others or themselves. That’s not to say that daytime drivers don’t face similar risks, although low light and fatigue are particularly common issues for night shift workers.

Security issues

Operating in the dark, especially when called out to isolated areas, leaves drivers vulnerable. A lack of witnesses and poor lighting slants the favor of the attack toward the perpetrator rather than the victim. Plus, the later on in the shift, the more cash the driver is likely to have in the car, unless they make regular deposits during their shift.

Night shift drivers also have to contend with party crowds, who may be intoxicated when getting into the car. This adds a further layer of unpredictability to the job, with alcohol often contributing to irrational and out-of-character aggression.

Physical/mental issues

The issues faced by night shift drivers aren’t just limited to the aggression of passengers. Disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to fatigue behind the wheel and poor sleep quality when the driver eventually clocks off. This increases the likelihood of the driver getting into road traffic accidents and causing harm toward themselves and others.

Working alone at night may also cause feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can contribute to deep-rooted mental health troubles. These feelings may be exacerbated if the driver’s family or friends operate on more traditional schedules, leaving the driver with limited social interaction during the hours they’re not working.

How in-vehicle panic systems can limit driver dangers

To ensure that drivers aren’t completely alone while on shift, in-vehicle or wearable panic buttons will be installed in many taxi or rideshare cars. These are discreet buttons, sometimes wearable, or driver apps that allow drivers to trigger silent alarms if they are feeling threatened.

Upon triggering the alarm, dispatch, fleet managers, or emergency services will be instantly notified. This will allow for immediate action to be taken, with the discreetness of the alarm preventing the situation within the car from escalating.

Panic systems will usually provide responders with real-time GPS tracking to further improve the efficiency of the rescue operation. The system may also capture video and audio from within the car to collect evidence of the attack.

Passenger verification and tracking

To further increase the safety of drivers, passengers will often require verification before they can book a taxi. Apps such as Uber and Lyft require verification for both passengers and drivers, creating useful digital records. Verification requires ID and a picture, allowing the driver to identify the person they’re picking up.

Some taxi booking apps will allow drivers to rate their passengers, which will help future drivers decide whether they want to accept the taxi request in the future. This helps drivers to do more to ensure their own safety while on the job.

This sort of verification is more difficult for taxi companies that work with a traditional over-the-phone booking system or street hails. In this case, emergency panic systems and GPS tracking become vital for the safety of the driver. Many taxi companies will also have route monitoring, which checks that the driver is taking an efficient route to the chosen destination.

They will then be able to notice if a driver is going strangely off-course and prepare for an intervention.

Insurance and platform requirements

US taxi companies require specific insurance to operate. This will cover the safety of drivers and passengers, often requiring the taxi or rideshare company to fit cars with appropriate technology. The technology includes panic buttons, tracking, and safe payment methods.

The rise of rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft, as well as the general departure from cash in society, has prompted most companies to move away from cash payments. This will in time lower the frequency of attempted robberies on taxis as they won’t have cash within the vehicle.

Insurance plans and platform requirements will vary from state to state, but they largely require safety measures to be taken. This is as much for the benefit of the insurance company as it is the driver, as these safety measures will reduce the risk of payouts.

How lone worker monitoring helps taxi and rideshare drivers stay safe

With lone worker monitoring technology present in the car, taxi drivers no longer have to feel isolated while working. As well as its practical benefits, knowing that they have a panic button, GPS tracking, and a direct line of communication to responders will provide drivers with peace of mind. This will allow them to do their job efficiently, providing passengers with the best service possible.

Some wearable lone worker monitoring options, such as those offered by SureSafe, have added features such as automatic fall recognition. This means that if the trouble were to spill out of the car and the driver was to become incapacitated, an alarm would automatically be triggered.

This would allow for a rapid response, ensuring the driver gets the help they need as quickly as possible. Being backed up with such technology will prevent injuries from becoming more severe than they should.

Enhance driver safety with SureSafe

Operating a taxi alone can be an isolating experience, especially for those doing long night shifts. However, with SureSafe wearable lone worker monitoring, it doesn’t have to be. Our solutions provide drivers with a direct route of communication with responders, meaning if the worst was to happen, they can make a reliable, discreet call for help.

As well as helping taxi drivers perform their role with peace of mind, we also provide solutions for other lone workers, as well as elderly people, people who have seizures, and more.

Call us today at 888 541 1548, or request for us to call you back. You can also get in touch with our live chat if you have any questions about the products that we provide.