Dive Brief:

• DoorDash has added five safety features for its couriers, the company announced Monday.
• The functions include SafeDash Check-In, real-time safety alerts, SafeChat, safety reporting and porch light reminders for customers. 
• The additional features come a year after DoorDash created in-app toolkit SafeDash, which connects drivers with security firm ADT during an emergency.

Dive Insight:

The new safety features could help DoorDash retain couriers, as increased violence — including carjacking and theft — against delivery drivers in recent years has left some feeling insecure. Following the launch of SafeDash, a DoorDash survey found 36% of couriers deliver more often and 30% said they deliver more in the evening. 

SafeDash Check-In, which will initially launch in New York City and Washington, D.C. before a full U.S. rollout, will let DoorDash automatically check on drivers if their delivery is taking longer than normal. If they are unresponsive or say they feel unsafe, ADT will reach out and potentially contact 911 if needed. SafeChat will use technology to detect inappropriate or offensive language in a chat on DoorDash’s app, and send a warning of potential consequences to the person who sent the message. The recipient of the message can report the issue and if a driver is the recipient, they can ask to be unassigned from the delivery. 

Through a partnership with Samdesk, a global crisis detection platform, DoorDash will provide real-time safety alerts in case an emergency occurs in the area. The company will send notifications to drivers about the event, suspend operations in the impacted area and cancel active deliveries so drivers can avoid the area. The company will check in on drivers to make sure they are safe. These safety alerts have already been used during active shootings, bomb threats and building fires in the U.S. 

Additional features include sending a reminder to customers to turn on their porch lights when the delivery driver is close, and the ability for drivers to report incidents during or after deliveries. Besides SafeDash Check-In, the other four features are or will be available in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

Rival Uber also extended safety features for both drivers and rideshare riders earlier this year, including a Safety ToolKit that offers emergency assistance if needed. Uber also will connect drivers to an ADT safety agent and offer to discreetly contact 911 for riders and drivers. Grubhub offers various safety features including the ability to report discrimination or sexual harassment, and a partnership with Nextbase allows drivers to purchase dash cam products at a discounted price.