• inDrive has announced the introduction of new safety features as it gears up for increased travel during the festive season.
• The leading new feature is in-app calling, with calls over WiFi and mobile data supported.
• Other safety features include real-time ride-sharing, driver verification, device bands, and dancer zone indicators.

As South African enters Spring, the coming weeks and months will likely mean increased travel as the country prepares for the festive season. Citing last year’s 1 184 fatalities over the 2023/24 festive period by the Department of Transport, inDrive has announced the arrival of new safety features for its ridesharing platform, including in-app calling.

As the name would suggest, the in-app calling will allow passengers and drivers to communicate directly within the app, eliminating the need to share personal phone numbers.

“This feature will improve communication efficiency and enhance the overall user experience for both drivers and passengers within the app in South Africa,” inDrive highlighted in a release to Hypertext.

In-app calling will be facilitated in one of two ways – free Internet/Voice over IP (VoIP) or regular GSM.

“Additionally, phone masking is implemented alongside both VoIP and GSM calls, ensuring that neither the driver’s nor the passenger’s personal phone numbers are revealed during the call, providing an extra layer of privacy and security while enabling seamless communication,” inDrive confirmed.

Along with the addition of in-app calling, the ridesharing platform noted that safety tips are now integrated into the app, providing passengers and drivers with practical advice for staying safe during their trips.

These can be accessed by tapping the Shield button within the app, where users can access these tips, which are also continuously updated to reflect new safety features and improvements, inDrive pointed out.

“Our commitment to safety is unwavering, especially during such a critical time as the festive season. These new in-app features are designed to empower both drivers and passengers with the tools they need to feel secure and protected on every trip,” said Vincent Lilane, inDrive Business Development Representative in Southern Africa.

“As we continue to grow across South Africa, we want to ensure that our focus on safety remains at the forefront of our operations, creating a reliable and secure environment for everyone using the inDrive platform,” he added.

Other safety features available within inDrive include:

• “Driver/Passenger Selection: Users can choose their driver or passenger based on ratings and reviews.
• Ride Sharing: Real-time ride sharing with trusted contacts.
• Driver Verification: Liveness checks and weekly photo verification to confirm driver identity.
• Device Bans: For violators and individuals who pose a safety risk.
• Danger Zone Indicators: Alerts for potentially unsafe areas.”