Uber Expands “Women Drivers” Feature Nationwide To Address Passenger Safety And Rising Legal Liabilities

Uber expands its "Women Drivers" feature across the U.S. to improve passenger safety following an $8.5 million jury award in a sexual assault case.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 6:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Claims Journal

Nationwide Rollout of Gender-Matching Feature

Uber has announced the nationwide expansion of its "Women Drivers" option, making the safety feature available in major markets including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. This rollout follows a year of pilot testing in two dozen U.S. cities. The feature appears as a distinct booking option alongside standard services like UberX and Uber Black. Riders can now set a permanent preference in their app settings to increase the likelihood of a female match or specifically reserve trips with women drivers in advance. The service is also integrated into teen accounts, providing an additional layer of security for younger passengers.

Legal Pressure and Liability Risks

The expansion comes at a critical time for Uber, which is currently defending thousands of legal cases in the U.S. that challenge the company's liability for driver misconduct. A significant blow occurred in February 2026, when an Arizona jury found Uber liable for failing to prevent the 2023 rape of a passenger, awarding $8.5 million in damages. While Uber successfully defended a similar case in California last year, the Arizona verdict has set a high-stakes precedent. By implementing the female-matching feature, Uber aims to proactively mitigate the risk of sexual assault and demonstrate a commitment to passenger safety.

Operational Challenges and Gender Ratios

Despite the nationwide launch, Uber face logistical hurdles due to the current gender imbalance among its drivers. While approximately 20% of Uber drivers in the U.S. are women, certain urban centers have much lower ratios. In New York City, for instance, nearly 94% of ride-hail drivers are male. Uber has acknowledged that passengers requesting women drivers may experience longer estimated times of arrival (ETAs) in certain areas, though a company spokesperson noted that ETAs in consistent urban markets remain comparable to standard UberX rides.