PHOENIX — If you're taking an Uber ride in the Valley, you can now reach 911 easier in the event of an emergency.
Uber announced Tuesday that drivers and riders in Maricopa County are able to get help by texting through the Uber app's emergency button, effective March 10.
The text-to-911 feature starts a message to 911 with trip information like location and vehicle description. Dispatchers can then stay in contact with the person making the emergency request until police make contact, the company says.
A sample message looks like this: "I am taking a trip with Uber. White Toyota Prius ABC1234. My Current location is 1562 Poblano Street. My intended destination is 1455 Market St. My emergency is: (fill in the blank)."
Watch the video in the player above to see how the service works.
"In an emergency, every second counts. This new addition to the app will allow Uber users to reach out to 911 in situations where they may not be able to make a phone call," said Sachin Kansal, Uber's Head of Safety Products, in a news release.
The safety feature is only available in select areas at this time, and the option will appear in your app if it is available.
