Uber is taking steps to bolster safety and trust by launching a new rider verification program in Miami, starting Thursday. Miami riders will now sport a verification badge on their profiles following additional security measures. This move comes in response to concerns voiced by drivers looking to better understand who is getting into their vehicles.

"I'm happy that they’re changing their policy because I’ve picked up riders in the past that have definitely caused a disturbance in the vehicle and other times I’ve had to call the police on them so I’m happy that they’re verifying people rather than just putting anybody in my car," Uber driver James Riha told NBC6. In the new system, Uber aims to quickly cross-check account details, including names and phone numbers, against a trusted third-party database.

The verification badge will then be clearly visible to drivers when deciding to quickly accept a ride. Florida's Uber Head of Safety, Roger Kaiser, mentioned in a statement obtained by Local10, "This new verification process and verified rider badge are important steps to help provide drivers with more peace of mind while they are out on the road."

While the rider's last name and phone number will remain private, drivers will have access to view the passenger's first name, star rating, trip details, and the newly added verification badge. "Strengthening rider verification has been a top request from drivers across the country," Roger Kaiser mentioned on NBC6, and it is seen as a way to ensure Uber becomes an even safer and more trusted place for both riders and drivers.