Safety is fundamental to Lyft. Whether it’s before, during, or after a ride, our goal is to protect every member of our community. For drivers, we know that feeling safe isn’t just about the encounters you have with the riders in your car or other drivers on the road - it also includes potential interactions with law enforcement.
For many Americans, these interactions can be uneasy. For Black Americans, these interactions can have a disproportionately negative impact.
As a society, we still have critical work to do to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. At Lyft, we’ve partnered with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) to promote safe policing.
We recognize that change will not happen overnight, which is why we also want to support drivers with information to help them feel safe today.
Lyft recognizes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as subject matter experts on this issue, and is providing drivers with information produced by the ACLU about what to do in the event that you are ever pulled over by law enforcement.
Know your rights if you encounter law enforcement:
Both drivers and passengers have the right to remain silent.
Stop the car in a safe place as quickly as possible.
Turn off the car, turn on the internal light, open the window part way, and place your hands on the wheel. If you’re in the passenger seat, put your hands on the dashboard.
Upon request, show police your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance.
Avoid making sudden movements, and keep your hands where the officer can see them.
Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t give any explanations or excuses. Don’t say anything, sign anything, or make any decisions without a lawyer.
If you have been arrested by police, you have the right to make a local phone call. The police cannot listen if you call a lawyer. They can and often will listen to a call made to anyone else.
Write down everything you remember, including officers’ badges and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses.
If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately and take photographs of your injuries.
File a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board. In most cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish.
“A key component of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) is to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities. As such, peaceful conduct during traffic stops for both the officer and the private citizen is tantamount for healthy societies." - Dwayne Crawford, Executive Director, NOBLE