AUSTIN, Texas — Uber's newest safety feature is already working to make drivers in Texas feel safer.
The rideshare company is testing out its "Record My Ride" feature in Dallas and San Antonio, which allows drivers to record audio and video during trips by using their phone's front-facing camera, saving drivers from having to buy a separate dashcam.
But despite Austin's well-documented issues with rideshare companies, including those without drivers, many Austinites wonder if Uber's latest feature will make its way to the Capital City. Unfortunately, Uber says not at this time.
"While we gather feedback from drivers ... At this moment, we don't have any further expansion plans to share, including for Austin," an Uber spokesperson told KVUE.
How does Record My Ride work?
Riders will be notified in the app that they're matched with a driver testing out the feature.
Uber says it works similarly to their in-app audio recording feature and prioritizes privacy by encrypting and storing it on drivers' devices. The recording cannot be accessed by Uber, riders or drivers unless the driver sends it in for review.
The hope is that the feature will help promote safety and allow Uber to quickly resolve any incidents that come up. Uber says its next step is to expand its verification of rider identities.
Uber says drivers in Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis, and select drivers in Los Angeles are also testing the new safety feature.
