9 Ways To Ride With Lyft Like A Pro

Sure, you always check your ride’s license plate, but have you mastered the Dutch Reach?

Friends, New Year's Eve is almost upon us, and the season of approximately a million parties and outings is ALREADY here. We're willing to bet you have some fun plans, and also need to get to and from them. If you don't already have an account set up with Lyft, make one *here* now, so you're not stranded in the lobby of that cute little bar when it starts to feel not so cute and you just want to get in your dang bed.

OK, now that that's done, it's time to take a second to brush up on safety. Anyone can call a ride, but a true pro Lyft rider knows a few very important basics to help keep themselves — and their friends — safe while out and about and get the most out of the app. Here's how:

1. It may seem obvious but...actually use the app!

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You wouldn’t let your friend drive home after a night of partying — you’d call them a Lyft. So you should definitely be doing the same thing for yourself! 71% of users say they are less likely to get behind the wheel while under the influence because they have Lyft, and places where Lyft is available have actually seen decreases in fatal car accidents and DUI cases. The more responsible choice is literally a button away, so why not make it? Whether you're more tipsy from champagne or a midnight kiss, make your resolution to never drink and drive!

2. Use some ~cool technology~ to help you find your car so you're not just squinting around in the dark, relying on fireworks or the sheen of your sparkly dress for light.

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Too dramatic? Sorry. Anyway, the Lyft app has some awesome features to make locating your ride less of a struggle. For example, you can look for an Amp on the dashboard of the car that'll be glowing the same color you see on your screen in the app.

You can also call or text your driver to help them find you in the holiday crowds; contact them through the app and they'll never see your actual digits. And if you want to be a total pro about it? You can even type a little pickup note for your driver to help them find you: "Girl in the sequined dress, squinting up at the fireworks on the corner of Main Street by the sandwich shop!"

3. Take a second to verify your ride — it's worth the (very minimal) effort!

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Your app displays the driver's name and pic, car model, and license plate for a reason. There's no better way to show your group and your driver that you know what you're doing than to use these tools to make sure you're getting in the right car. All Lyft drivers have to undergo background checks — take a sec to do your part and confirm the car matches the driver.

4. Use the app to let friends and fam know where you are and when you'll get home. Your mom will thank you — hello, favorite child status.

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You can share tracking info with up to five people so they can follow along with your entire ride (and hey, Lyft drivers, you'll soon be able to do this too). It's an easy way to give yourself and your crew a little extra peace of mind, plus give anyone you're heading to meet a super-accurate ETA. And bonus — you'll never get in trouble with your parents or BFF for forgetting to send that "Got home safe!" text ever again.

5. Know when — and how — to ask for help.

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Millions of rides happen daily without incident, but it's still important to be informed about what to do if you ever do start to feel uncomfortable. There's nothing like being prepared! In both the rider and driver versions of the app, there's a button that'll allow you to instantly dial 911 if you feel unsafe. Once you call, your location and the car model, color, and license plate info will pop up on your screen so you can give it to dispatchers ASAP.

While 911 should always be your first call in an emergency, Lyft also has a round-the-clock critical response line where you can report incidents. Plug in your digits and a real human — not a robot — will call you back in minutes.

6. Don't forget to rate your ride — it's actually super important for you and other users!

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A Lyft pro always takes a second to rate their ride after it's finished. In fact, both riders and drivers can rate each other, which helps hold everyone accountable to the app's community guidelines and keep rides safe and respectful. You won't be matched with a driver you give three or fewer stars for any future ride, and you'll have the opportunity to provide comments on why your ride was less than 5-star-worthy.

7. Make your exit less dramatic (but more fabulous) by getting out of your ride carefully. Remember that you share the road with other people!

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As you may or may not be aware, cars aren't the only thing on the road! Wow your driver and your friends by learning the art of the Dutch Reach (basically a fancy way of saying scanning for bikes, scooters, and pedestrians before you open your door).

Oh, and P.S. — if you're the one on a bike or scooter (which you can actually rent from Lyft in some cities!), also keep your mind on safety. Lyft will provide you with safety guidelines and reminders, and you should remember that just like a car, you shouldn't get behind the wheel — er, handlebars — if you've been drinking.

8. Keep your standards high for yourself and others (Lyft does, after all).

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Remember those community guidelines I mentioned? They apply to both riders and drivers, and your account can be deactivated if you don't follow them. But don't worry — the TL;DR is to just be a nice person! Be respectful, follow safety laws, and don't do cringeworthy things like try to fit too many people in the car or smoke, drink, or vape on your ride. It's pretty simple!

It's also great to know that the folks driving you are also held to high standards. All Lyft drivers must take a safety education program designed with RAINN (an amazing national organization that combats sexual violence) so they can make your ride feel as comfortable as possible.

9. Learn more about safety and check back for new features!

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Sure, you may be using Lyft A TON right now for the holiday season, but these safety tips apply year-round, and Lyft is always taking new steps to help protect the community. Learn more details and tips about safety here and keep an eye out for new features. For example, coming soon, Lyft’s Smart Trip Check-In will predict if someone may need help and ask them if they need support.

Now that you're a safety expert, you're ready to roll for holiday travel and beyond! Go you!!!

And ICYMI, you can sign up for Lyft here!