Riding in safety: How technology can protect female passengers on the road

Each year on March 8th we come together to celebrate International Women's Day, a global event dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide. It offers us all a chance to engage with communities, reflect on progress and commit to positive change.

This year the theme is Accelerate Action, emphasising the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. In our work we hope to do just that, amplifying conversations about the potentially unsafe conditions women face while travelling and exploring how technology can help us develop new solutions. 

Female solo travellers take the road – but safety is key 

The topic is increasingly relevant. Global travel is now back to pre-pandemic levels – with an estimated 1.4 billion international overnight journeys taken in 2024 according to the UNWTO – with lone female travelers now making up a growing percentage of those taking a trip. With increased earnings and the promotion of female-only recreational activities, we're seeing explosion in the popularity of solo travel for women.
Sadly, research suggests travelling for work as a woman is seen as less safe than it is for men. Many female travelers say they don't travel or go out on their own at night while on a trip, while others always stay in close touch with family and friends so their whereabouts are known. More than one in ten female business travellers have even experienced a negative incident, ranging from minor theft to assault when travelling. 

Technology can help us build better experiences

These long-term trends make safety a top priority. With more people taking a trip and female travel, solo or otherwise, on the rise, we must act to ensure people are confident their journey will be secure.
That is where chauffeurs come in - having a driver waiting is the safest way to travel. I know when I arrive late at night on a flight and just want to get to my hotel, it's comforting to walk through the arrivals hall to be greeted by a professional, holding a sign with my name on and waiting to take me onward.

Technology can make trips even safer. Journey tracking can let third parties, including travel managers or friends, keep an eye on your journey, while automated real time status updates let colleagues know when a driver is on-site, you are onboard and when you are dropped off. Oversight of this kind can build reassurance, knowing somebody has your back.

Chauffeurs can also be allocated in advance, so you know somebody will be waiting where agreed and you can contact them directly. At the same time, systems enable the tracking of passenger preferences, outlining things like driver behaviour, lighting and temperature. These details can be shared with chauffeurs ahead of the trip, supporting that feeling of comfort and safety.

Drivers must also undergo comprehensive background checks, including criminal history and driving records, which can be reviewed every six months. To encourage familiarity, passengers can outline specific chauffeurs they would like allocated to their service in major cities. In high-risk territories, specialist security and first aid-trained chauffeurs can be deployed, with armoured vehicles upon request.

Of course, these technologies and services are vital to ensure the safety of all travellers. But they are more relevant than ever to building confidence among women, especially those taking a trip on their own. 

Future of travel

Ground transport—including chauffeur services and beyond—plays a vital role in making every day travel safer for women. As the world of travel expands, with solo female journeys on the rise, safety must be a top priority.
This International Women's Day let's act. Innovation and responsibility go hand in hand in creating safer, more inclusive experiences. Together, we can Accelerate Action toward meaningful change and drive progress toward a truly equal world.

More Information

TBR Global Chauffeuring is a world leader in ground transportation, relentlessly driving excellence across the global event, financial roadshow and corporate travel markets. Combining cutting-edge technology with award-winning expertise, TBR enhances customers' lives by consistently delivering a safe high-quality service, providing complete confidence from beginning to end. 
Headquartered in Glasgow, with offices in London, Boston, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and more recently Tokyo, TBR seamlessly marries an extensive global reach with local expertise with its operational footprint spanning across 3,000 cities worldwide.