South Africans using e-hailing services like Uber and Bolt are at risk, with crimes linked to e-hailing operators having risen by 20% since 2024.
This is according to DSC Attorneys Partner Kirstie Haslam, on CapeTalk.
With the festive season upon us, e-hailing services like Uber and Bolt will be working overtime.
Countless South Africans will be turning to these services to get home safely after year-end parties, family gatherings, and New Year’s celebrations.
However, using these services puts South Africans at risk, warns Haslam, as crimes linked to e-hailing operators have risen, including several fatal attacks on drivers, according to Arrive Alive.
There is also a rise in violent crime involving e-hailing rides, such as passengers being robbed and drivers being hijacked.
Haslam explains that in some cases, victims could claim for compensation.
She told Cape Talk that when you are involved in an incident, be it an accident or a crime, it is important to act fast and document everything.
“E-hailing has become part of our social fabric, especially during the holidays,” said Haslam.
“But the very convenience that makes it so popular also creates a sense of false security. When something goes wrong, passengers are often unsure of their rights or how to protect themselves legally.”
She warned that South Africans must be vigilant when getting into a vehicle with someone [the driver] who is a stranger to them, to make sure that the vehicle matches the one they ordered, and to be aware of their surroundings.
What to do in an accident
In the event you are in an accident while travelling in an Uber or Bolt, Haslam said that the first thing to do is to check yourself and others for injuries and call emergency services.
Then, you must ensure that the incident is logged through the app of the e-hailing service you are using as soon as possible.
“Take photos of the scene; these are invaluable if you are in a position to do so,” she said.
Additionally, record the driver’s details – their identification, licence number, and vehicle registration.
Haslam said that too much information is better than not having enough – so rather take down this information regardless of the severity of the event. Even if there are no injuries, it could be worth doing.
She explained that this information is valuable to determine who is liable in the case that there is a civil claim to pursue.
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