Bolt Empowers Female Drivers with Self-Defense and Safety Training

In a significant step towards enhancing safety for female drivers, ride-hailing service Bolt recently hosted its first self-defense and anti-hijacking training session in Johannesburg.

The initiative, launched during Women’s Month, aims to equip female driver-partners with essential skills to navigate the unique safety challenges of driving in South Africa.

This effort follows alarming crime statistics from the National Community Police Board of South Africa (NCPS), revealing that Gauteng consistently ranks as the province with the highest crime levels. Among the most common crimes are robberies and hijackings, with a 6.5% year-over-year increase in these incidents.

The training sessions provided critical knowledge on self-defense and defensive driving techniques tailored to help drivers manage the potential dangers they face on the road. Participants were also educated on the importance of being aware of their surroundings and staying prepared. Given South Africa’s high crime rates, Bolt’s initiative aims to boost confidence and security among drivers, ensuring that they can continue earning an income safely.

Simo Kalajdzic, Senior Operations Manager at Bolt, emphasized the company’s dedication to driver safety:
“The safety and security of drivers is our top priority. Hosting this self-defense and anti-hijacking training event for female drivers is one of the many ways we are committed to empowering drivers with the expertise they need to stay safe on the road. We believe that by providing such initiatives, we not only enhance the safety of drivers but also foster a supportive and secure environment for everyone using our platform. This event is especially significant as we continue to honour and appreciate the strength and resilience of women during Women’s Month.”

Lulama, a female Bolt driver-partner in Johannesburg, expressed her gratitude for the training, stating:
“This training has increased my confidence. Knowing that I’m prepared for whatever comes my way while driving puts my mind at ease. I’m grateful to Bolt for hosting us at such an impactful event.”

The training is part of Bolt’s larger strategy to prioritize driver safety. These sessions will continue to be rolled out to all drivers, ensuring they have access to the resources necessary to stay safe. This effort complements Bolt’s existing suite of safety features, which includes an in-app safety toolkit. The toolkit allows drivers and riders to share trip details with trusted contacts, access an Emergency Assist button, and activate an audio recording feature if they feel uncomfortable during a ride.

With these combined efforts, Bolt is reinforcing its commitment to creating a safer platform for both drivers and passengers.