BATON ROUGE — A local ride-share driver reached out to UWK to share what she called a ‘harrowing experience’ in North Baton Rouge. It was an event she hopes can now shed light on potential dangers in the rideshare industry.
The single mother, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted her experience during a late-night ride request on Eaton Street.
The address initially appeared to be a typical home, but upon arrival, she discovered it led to an isolated complex—Fairwood Apartments—at the end of a long, poorly lit driveway.
“There’s some apartments back there, I believe it’s Fairwood Apartments. But I didn’t know that at the time because the ride-share just gives me an address,” she explained. The situation heightened her suspicion as she saw no visible cars or lights near the drop-off point.
“I’m on guard. I’m not stupid,” she said. Keeping her safety in mind, she stopped sharing her location, contacted ADT for emergency assistance, and decided not to go any further toward the pickup point.
She messaged the rider, suggesting they meet her on the street. They refused, pressing her to drive deeper into the complex. “They were like, where are you? That’s when I responded, I’m not gonna pick you up down there. I’m like, ‘You can come over here to the street’,” she recalled.
Despite promptly contacting the ride-share’s safety team and filing a police report, she says she felt the need to warn others. Reflecting on her experience, she emphasized the importance of staying vigilant:
“I don’t want other drivers to fall for that trap,” she said, noting that the riders continued messaging her with claims they were “all the way to the back of the dark apartment complex.”
“I had a friend who was killed delivering pizza. You have to know what to look out for and be safe,” she added, expressing a strong desire to raise awareness of the risks that rideshare and delivery drivers can face.
The driver did file a report with Baton Rouge Police and BRPD confirmed to UWK they have the filed report and the matter is under investigation.
Safety tips for ride-share and delivery drivers
- Stay in well-lit, populated areas: Avoid isolated or poorly lit locations. If the area feels unsafe, consider requesting the rider meet you in a more visible spot.
- Use real-time location sharing: Keep a friend or family member informed of your location during late-night rides. Many safety apps, including ADT, can offer assistance if you feel at risk.
- Trust your instincts: If a ride or delivery location seems suspicious, don’t hesitate to refuse the request or leave the area. Your safety is more important than the trip.
- Maintain communication with company support: In the event of a dangerous situation, report it to your rideshare or delivery company’s support team as soon as possible.
- Stay alert to potential traps: Be wary of instructions that involve deviating from public areas or asking you to enter isolated spots.
- Keep emergency contacts accessible: Have a plan to contact emergency services or nearby friends quickly in case of an urgent situation.
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