What to Know
- The emergency button is effective Oct. 31, 2018.
- The button is being implemented to make sure that riders have easier, quicker access to services if they need emergency assistance.
- Tap the in-app emergency button if you feal you are in danger and LAPD's Communication Division will be automatically alerted.
Beginning Wednesday, when an Uber driver or rider uses the company's in-app emergency button, key trip details will be automatically sent to 911 dispatchers in the Los Angeles Police Department's Communications Division.
"This pilot partnership will us make sure that riders have easier, quicker access to services if they need emergency assistance," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "We are working every day to make Angelenos safer - no matter where they live or how they travel."
Riders since May have been able to see their GPS location and vehicle details - make, model, color and license plate - in the app when they tap Uber's emergency button to call 911 and tell dispatchers that information. Now those details will be electronically transmitted to 911 dispatchers in Los Angeles.
Uber launched the emergency feature button in its app earlier this year, partnering with RapidSOS on the 911 integration program with an initial launch in a handful of cities, including Denver and Nashville. With the addition of Los Angeles, it is now operational in more than 30 U.S. cities, including Phoenix and Washington, D.C., said Uber spokesman Andrew Hasbun.
[Hasbun] said Uber and RapidSOS are working to expand the technology for use in other Southern California cities.
"At Uber, we believe technology can help make sure that the roads safe than ever before," said Nirveek De, Uber's Safety Products Lead. "Every second counts in an emergency, and we want to make sure our users get help quickly with accurate information, if faced with an emergency situation."
