Uber's Audible Seatbelt Alerts Will Remind Passengers to Buckle Up

pcmag.com:

Uber's latest safety feature audibly reminds passengers to wear their seatbelt.

First teased in December, the ride-hailing service launched a new mobile alert system this week, nudging US customers to buckle up for everyone's protection.

Uber late last year announced the upcoming launch of a "proactive" audio seatbelt reminder. The alert comes from the driver's phone, with an accompanying push notification to the rider's handset. "We believe this new feature … will increase seat belt use and help drivers ensure a safe environment while on a trip," Uber's VP of Product Management, Sachin Kansal, said at the time.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective ways people can protect themselves during a crash. And while most Americans claim to buckle up, a 2017 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) concluded a majority of adults don't bother using the back-seat belt while traveling via a ride-hailing service.

"We're really focused on delivering the right message at the right moment," Kristin Smith, Uber head of global road safety policy, told CNET. "And we think [the start of the trip]'s the right moment to get people in the habit of buckling up and remembering that no matter how far you're going, no matter where you're sitting in the car, you should be wearing your seatbelt."

While there won't be a specific penalty for passengers who don't buckle up, Uber will gather feedback from drivers and riders to track the effectiveness of its notifications. The company did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

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