Safety and Etiquette

Car pooling is a safe way to commute as long as you follow certain safety guidelines. There are also basic rules of etiquette you will want to know beforehand. Below are some points to keep in mind.

Safety Tips

  • Meet prospective car pooling partners in a public place prior to traveling together. Avoid giving out too much personal information before meeting. You can find other commuters you are compatible with using the Match & Ride tool.
  • Ask questions to assess the driving habits and safety practices of prospective car pooling partners. You may also want to ask that they provide personal references.
  • Give friends or family the names of people you are car pooling with and let them know your schedule.
  • Trust your instincts. Just because you meet with someone or discuss car pooling doesn’t mean you are obligated to move forward. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
  • Once you have established the people you will car pool with, exchange emergency medical information in case there is an accident or medical emergency.

Car Pool Etiquette

  • Be on time. When one person is late, it makes other people late as well. Decide how long the driver is expected to wait for passengers before leaving.
  • Be respectful of the driver’s vehicle. Agree beforehand on whether it is OK to smoke, eat or drink in the vehicle. Never leave trash in the vehicle. As a driver, keep your vehicle clean and tidy.
  • If you are driving, drive carefully and obey all traffic laws. Speeding and aggressive driving may make other car poolers feel unsafe. Make sure all passengers are wearing their seat belts.
  • Be mindful of anything that might bother other car pool members. For example, excessive talking might distract the driver or bother people who prefer quiet. Talking on a mobile phone may also disturb some people, so make sure it’s OK with everyone first.
  • Try to avoid requesting changes to the schedule and follow through on your commitments. This will create trust and show respect to your fellow commuters. Don’t make unexpected stops for errands unless it is agreed upon by all car pool members.
  • Be considerate of passengers when listening to music, news or talk radio.
  • Avoid wearing products with strong scents. Strong perfumes, colognes or hair products may be irritating to others in the car.