Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

These days, the importance of personal safety cannot be stressed enough. Even if you’re not out of your element, traveling around the world or the like, dangers lurk around every corner, so staying aware of your surroundings is key to staying safe.

A woman online has not too long ago shared a story that serves as a great reminder on just how aware you ought to be of things, especially if you’re waiting for your Uber.

More Info: Twitter

You can never be ‘too safe’ when you’re catching a ride with a taxi service

Image credits: Carl Mikoy (not the actual photo)

Solo travel blogger Ciara Johnson recently went to Twitter to share an incident that happened to her. One that could have ended badly if not for staying on top of things.

A car pulled up as she was waiting for her Uber to come over. The driver jumped out and hurriedly threw her suitcase in the trunk. Ciara was still waiting to see the license plate, confused as all heck as to what was happening. She finally noticed that it was, in fact, the wrong car.

Travel blogger Ciara Johnson recently shared how being aware of the license plate can save your from trouble

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: hey_ciara

The driver ended up taking the luggage out, seemingly hoping it wasn’t the wrong car, and blurted out “I wish it wasn’t the wrong car.” Ciara then noticed that her actual Uber driver was behind her. She explained what had just happened, and he noted that this happens often—men drive around in hopes ladies won’t notice.

Once Ciara is seen talking to her actual driver, the man simply gets into his car and drives away, adding even more suspicion.

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Ciara also shared some advice on how to stay safe when getting an Uber

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: hey_ciara

Ciara took the opportunity to turn this into a life lesson for everyone: always check the license plate before entering the car, the driver should ask for a pin to confirm it’s the right client in their car, and if not, always ask for what your name is—the right driver should be able to answer that.

She also suggested comparing the profile photo, if your service supports that (some don’t), and also sharing your location with a friend for the duration of the journey (pst! if your taxi app doesn’t support that feature, you can always use the Location function on Facebook Messenger or Google Maps).

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: hey_ciara

Lastly, another serious giveaway is if there’s another person in the car—a ‘boyfriend’ or whomever sharing the ride. Oh, and if applicable, “as my actual driver says, we’re in Texas, so carry your gun if you’re a woman that can,” said Ciara.

Ciara’s tweet soon drew significant attention, garnering over 17,300 likes and nearly 8,400 retweets. In response to this, people on Twitter started sharing their stories of how much people don’t pay attention to the cars they jump into, let alone the license plates.

Many shared their own ideas and stories in response to Ciara’s now viral Twitter thread

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: Itjustdawndonme

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: MRevelle

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: hey_ciara

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: itsbaejahjanae

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: sakeem13

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: __moonvibes

Others shared how this happened to them or their friends, and how they avoided the close call. And even one person explained how two other women managed to jump into their Uber and were pretty surprised and confused when the journey was confirmed without them actually being in the car.

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: ccalexandre__

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: 418_310

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: wifeynextdoor

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: Harpowhodis777

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: cupcakesquirrel

Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked

Image credits: regulardes

You can check out the entire Twitter thread in context here, and even check out Ciara’s tips on how to stay safe as a solo female traveler here. But before you go, tell us some of your ‘wrong driver’, close-call or general Uber advice in the comment section below!

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

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What do you think ?

POST

K Witmer 2 years ago

I think that one commenter is right. Wherever women can be in a dangerous situation w men there should be a choice of women only companies. Yes I know women can be dangerous too but I'm better able to fight a woman than I ever will be a man.

14points

Mike Ward 2 years ago

but the problem was never Uber or her proper driver, it was a random person that was just waiting around for a victim. And as her story said, she had a woman driver attempt to pick her up with a man in the passenger seat, breaking the Uber rules already, so who is to say they would have followed some other Only Women Service's rules. Lastly, this advice about checking number plates and ID's are valid for men too.

3points

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CrunChewy McSandybutt 2 years ago

Also, many sex traffickers use other women to lure victims. Women aren't saints. They can actually be rather evil.

2points

K Witmer 2 years ago

Yes I said that. Why are you trying to make a case when I do not disagree. I'd still rather have a woman driver, doctor, nurse, Gyno, etc. statistics show women doctors don't make as many mistakes as male doctors and they have a higher rate of having healthy patients. I don't want to be in a car w a man idk and that's my choice. I request women drivers and I seek out women professionals when I need an expert. I feel safer and I can relate to women more. Justified or not it's my choice. Predominantly all sexual assaults are committed by men. Even when men get sexually assaulted it's predominantly by other men. I've been sexually assaulted in some form more times than I can count so I've learned my lesson. A woman has never made me feel unsafe or has touched me wo my consent.

0points

G R 2 years ago

This is not how trafficking works. Yes, the man could easily have raped or killed her. But no, there are not armies of men kidnapping random middle class women off the street in order to... what? You think trafficked women are chained to a bed or something? Most trafficked women are trafficked for labour, not sex (eg to work as cleaners or in nail salons) and women who are sex trafficked are either groomed or threatened (eg with being deported) to get them to go along with it. If someone grabs a woman off the street he's certainly not a trafficked, just an old fashioned rapist or murderer.

10points

Dr. Carlos Dangercat 2 years ago

Thank you! That being said there have been several disturbing cases where women have been kidnapped and murdered by fake Uber drivers.

1point

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Frannie Kaplan 2 years ago

Not true. Trafficking comes in many forms this one is often used in non Western continents

0points

Dr. Carlos Dangercat 2 years ago

I am from NY where we require license plates on BOTH the front and back of the car. I have used ride sharing apps in some places where it's only required in the back. I don't understand why a front plate is not required everywhere. It makes it much easier to see, which is good for a variety of reasons. Apparently the only reason they aren't required everywhere is for aesthetic reasons, which is absurd.

0points

Tobias Rieper 2 years ago

well thats much better than being trafficked

0points

K Witmer 2 years ago

Huh? How do you know all of this? Do you have facts to back it up? Have you lived this experience as a woman?

-2points

G R 2 years ago

Yes, I personally experienced trafficking as a homeless teenage girl.

1point

Gerard Neaux 2 years ago (edited)

How can one NOT check the license plate before getting into the car? That's literally THE identifier of the car. If you get into a car of some make and color, you likely end up being an entitled ahole getting into some bystander's car because you assume the world spins around you and OF COURSE all the cars in proximity are there for your convenience. How is it normal to get into a car without confirming it's your ride?

4points