A recent incident in Panama has raised serious questions about the safety of using Uber. A female passenger requested an Uber, which arrived unusually fast—within one minute. The driver immediately deviated from the Uber-provided route, using Waze instead. After an initial stop to pick up a second passenger, he missed the turn and drove off-route, stopping completely for several minutes to make a phone call. Frightened passengers recorded the audio call and attempted to contact emergency services, but language barriers prevented them from getting help. What should have been a 20-minute ride turned into a 1.5-hour ordeal. Uber refused a full refund but eventually reversed an additional $45 charge after customer complaints. The experience has shaken trust in Uber's safety protocols, despite its reputation as a safer alternative to taxis for many expats.
