Safety is a primary concern when sharing rides with strangers. Even when using a Ride Share program, it is your responsibility to take safety precautions into account on each and every ride. The following safety guidelines are provided in hopes to make your next shared ride a safe ride.

• Meet in a public place before you agree to ride.
• Take a friend with you when meeting for the first time.
• Trust your instincts ‐ If you feel uncomfortable with this person, don‘t ride with him or her.
• Ask lots of questions.
• Look for odd behavior or inconsistencies.
• Once you agree to ride, get as much personal information as possible and verify their information: full name, address, phone number, & place of work.
• Ask for referrals.
• Verify their Driver‘s License and Auto Insurance are valid (make a copy of each).
• Make sure Vehicle Registration and Inspection are up to date.
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going, when, with whom you are going, vehicle description or photo, and Vehicle License Plate Number.
• Communicate your travel plans, directions, & stops along the way with your new travel partner, as well as, with a friend or family member.
• Consider exchanging emergency contact phone numbers before long trips.
• You are under no obligation to travel together. If at any time you have any doubts about your traveling companion, you should avoid traveling with them and immediately change your travel plans.

Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) hosts the ride board as a convenience to residents of our region who may wish to share rides or costs. EMDC is not a transportation provider, and we have no employment relationship with individuals offering rides on this board.

EMDC is not responsible for the actions of the individuals with whom you travel and it is up to those participating in shared rides to evaluate the individuals they are riding with.

Participation in shared rides is a voluntary decision and EMDC is not liable for any damages or expenses. EMDC is also not responsible for insurance coverage and it is solely the responsibility of the driver to ensure that their insurance coverage extends to ride sharing and carpooling.

No unaccompanied child under the age of 18 years may participate in a shared ride.

EMDC reserves the right to remove any posts or ratings from the Neighborhood Ride Board at its own discretion.