Young commuters receive life-saving skills
inDrive South Africa, in partnership with the TEARS Foundation, recently hosted a youth mobility training session aimed at building a culture of safety, respect and accountability for students and young commuters in South Africa.
The training focused on the practical realities young commuters face on South Africa’s roads and in public transport, including risks associated with unsafe routes, unfamiliar drivers, and online threats that can spill into daily life.
“Our goal is to make every journey safer for all commuters, especially young people and students, who are statistically more vulnerable to risks in transit, including accidents, harassment and gender-based violence,” said Ashif Black, CountryRepresentative for inDrive South Africa.
Beyond the visible tools, inDrive’s backend safety measures, such as AI moderation, profile verification, liveness checks, and complaint response systems, work continuously to block harmful behavior and enhance rider security.
Making journeys safer
Transport can present safety challenges for young people, especially women, who often face a higher risk of gender-based violence. This is why it’s important to create safer, more supportive mobility options. In 2024 alone, the TEARS Foundation fielded over 75,000 requests for assistance, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for proactive safety measures. As such, in addition to personal safety measures, inDrive showcased its in-app safety tools, including the SOS button, Share Trip feature, Trusted Contacts, in-app calls to protect personal numbers and 24/7 support.
“Our mission is to give young people the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate transport safely, so they can move freely and with dignity,” said Mara Glennie, Founder & Chief Executive Office at the TEARS Foundation. “What’s more, when youth are informed and vigilant, they become powerful agents of change in their communities.”
The training reinforced that safety is a shared responsibility. Respect, accountability, and vigilance are values that protect both passengers and drivers, creating a safer transport ecosystem for everyone.
“We want young people using inDrive to feel safe, supported and in control,” said Black. “Young commuters face real risks on our roads and in public transport, and it’s critical they know how to protect themselves and each other.”
