While Uber is most known for preventing drunk driving, it is also making strides in reaching high schoolers globally for different reasons. Starting here in Westwood, students are using Uber daily.

For those that are not familiar with Uber, it is a phone app that is revolutionizing the way of transportation. By dialing in for a ride, your Uber driver could pick you up within minutes and take you anywhere. Drivers can self employ themselves as long as they have a background check.

According to Uber, this company is evolving the way the world moves. CEO of Uber, Travis Kalanick, said, “By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers. From our founding in 2009 to our launches in hundreds of cities today, Uber’s rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer.”

Westwood students are taking full advantage of this innovative app. Senior Tim Downes said, “My favorite part about Uber is that if you are a good costumer, you get a good driver. It is like a two way street.” Uber also allows the customer to rate the driver and vice versa. Out of a 5.0 ranking, factors that one can rate a customer on are safe driving, politeness, attitude, and cleanliness. The driver can rate the customer on things like timeliness- did you make them wait? Or even things like messing with the radio.

Another senior at Westwood, Jenna Frazza, uses Uber “because it is affordable and convenient.” For most, these factors are most important in today’s day and age. For others, it is the efficiency. Riley Flynn said, “I like that you never need to have cash on you and it goes straight to the card.”

Many parents are concerned about the concept of allowing their child to get in a strangers car. However, Uber is one of the safest forms of transportation. Each driver must be 25 years old and is given a strict background check. Kalanick claims that, “Uber is committed to safely connecting riders and drivers. That means setting strict safety standards and providing end-to-end insurance coverage. The specifics vary depending on what local governments allow, but what we’re doing in the US to ensure your comfort and security is an example of our standards around the world.”