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Protective screens, voice commands and physical devices are some of the strategies adopted by app drivers to ensure safety in traffic
In light of the increase in robberies and thefts of cell phones and belongings in large urban centers, ride-hailing drivers have developed their own solutions to increase safety while working. One case that gained notoriety was that of ride-hailing driver José Eduardo Affonso, from Santos (SP), who created an innovative anti-theft system using protective screens installed on the car windows. The initiative aims to prevent criminals from pulling objects out of the vehicle at traffic lights.
According to data from the Public Security Department of the State of São Paulo (SSP-SP), in 2024, more than 163 cell phone thefts and robberies were recorded in the capital of São Paulo alone, which represents an average of 450 devices stolen per day. This scenario has led app drivers to seek alternative solutions to protect both their belongings and their physical integrity.
Traffic light theft protection screen
App driver José Eduardo Affonso, who works with transportation via the app for over five years, said he had the idea of installing the protective screen after seeing several colleagues being victims of theft while waiting for the green light in traffic.
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“More serious than losing your phone is breaking the glass. I was already worried about this and thinking about a solution. One day, I looked at the protective screen on my living room window and had the idea of installing it in my car,” said Affonso.
The screen acts as a deterrent, discouraging criminals from taking action, who generally look for targets that are easy to access. According to the app driver, since adopting this measure, he has not faced any more robbery attempts.
Voice Activated Security System
Another innovative solution comes from Paulo Ricardo Kalsing, a chemical technician and app driver in Novo Hamburgo (RS), who developed a security system activated by voice command. The feature allows alerts to be sent to trusted contacts in dangerous situations, activating different levels of emergency.
“Depending on the keyword I say, I trigger the call for help depending on the severity of the situation,” Kalsing explained.
He also implemented a system which warns passengers about the presence of security cameras in the vehicle, which, according to him, has already prevented possible robberies.
Other protective devices
In addition to screens and voice alert systems, some ride-hailing drivers have adopted physical strategies to make it harder for criminals to act. One example is installing thumbtacks around the cell phone holder, making attempted theft more risky.
“I put the bugs in there to deter criminal activity. The thief can see them and might give up before trying to steal the phone,” reported a ride-hailing driver who preferred to remain anonymous.
Positioning of ride-hailing companies
The Brazilian Association of Mobility and Technology (Amobitec), which represents platforms such as Uber and 99, said it has invested in technologies to improve the safety of partner drivers. The companies have adopted measures such as security cameras, audio recording and passenger identity verification to reduce the risk of robberies during trips.
Even so, app drivers claim that the platforms' initiatives are still not enough to guarantee total safety, which has led many to seek their own solutions.
