I’m Safer with Lyft
First, let’s touch on the passenger safety — I’d just like to mention I just went in for my annual Uber inspection of my car. They didn’t even look at it, let alone check anything. Scam. At least Lyft actually makes you go to a mechanic.
As far is a record of everything — name, date, time, home address, phone number, GPS location, etc. If something happens, the police know exactly what door to go knock on in order to make an arrest — this goes for drivers and passengers. Plus, the driver isn’t carrying a thick wad of cash in his pocket, making him a target for anyone in desperate need of some quick cash.
In a taxi, however, passengers are predominantly anonymous. They may call from a payphone, or flag you from the shadows — you have no idea who you’re letting into your car with you — and I’ve ended up with plenty of threatening taxi passengers over the years.
As for safe driving, well, that’s another story. For example, I intentionally drove up Ritch Street the wrong way in a taxi once, because it was faster than driving around the block, and because I knew I could get away with it. In fact, as a cab driver, I’d often drive up one-way streets in reverse, just so my cab was at least pointed in the right direction. I take fewer chances in Lyft — since it’s my car, and because of the rating system — than I did when I was driving a taxi that didn’t belong to me.
Having said that, I have noticed a certain “Lyft Driver Syndrome,” in which drivers accept a ride, and will suddenly change lanes, stop, or turn unexpectedly, in an attempt to gain a direct route to the pickup location.
