Didi driver rape and murder causing concern in China expat community

Ever since the report earlier this month of a brutal rape and murder by a Didi driver of a female flight attendant, the safety of car-hailing apps has been a hot topic amongst expatriates in China.

Ride-sharing apps have been a popular alternative to taxis amongst the vast country’s expat community for a good while, but the recent rape and murder combined with another report of an attempted assault is causing safety concerns. Although the gap between those who are now finding other transportation alternatives because of the attacks and those who still feel the service is safe on the whole is around 50/50, suggestions as to how to protect oneself from such attacks is trending across social media outlets.

Many believe Didi and other such sites should carry out background checks on would-be drivers, with others believing the present system of ratings is safe enough. A number of women say they’d not use the service at night or in the suburbs, and others only use it for short, about-town trips. A number of Western expats don’t use Didi as drivers don’t speak English or other European languages.

Tips for staying safe include sitting in the rear seat and staying alert rather than concentrating on playing with your smartphone, not disclosing personal information and texting the car’s number plate to a friend after getting in, with females in general more safety conscious than their male counterparts. Calling a friend and staying on the line for the duration of a short journey is another suggestion, as is informing family of your destination. Even making a fake call could dissuade the driver from taking any illegal actions, and sending an SMS will alert friends or family to the fact you’re on the move.