Airport in Las Vegas Advises Rideshare Travelers on Ensuring Safety
Article Rewrite
title: Rideshare Safety: Harry Reid International Airport Introduces SAMI Protocol to Guard Passengersdate: June 6, 2025, 5:18 PMlast_updated: June 6, 2025, 5:37 PM
author: Corey Levitan
categories: - Commercial Gaming - Entertainment - Expert Insight - Las Vegas - Restaurants - Las Vegas Myths
In the heart of the Entertainment Capital, Harry Reid International Airport (HRI) just leveled-up security for rideshare passengers. As of this week, riders can expect new signs in the Uber and Lyft pickup zones outside terminals 1 and 3. These signs aim to help passengers stay safe by following a simple, yet effective protocol: SAMI.
Here's the lowdown on the SAMI protocol:
- Stop: Give a quick pause before jumping into a vehicle
- Ask, "What's my name?": Query the driver to confirm they're the one assigned to you
- Match: Compare the car's make, model, and license plate with the information displayed in the app
- Inform: Keep a buddy updated on your ride details
Introduced by the What's My Name Foundation, SAMI is a practical safety measure inspired by the tragic story of Samantha "Sami" Josephson. Sami, a University of South Carolina student, met an unspeakable fate when she got into a vehicle in 2019, believing it was her genuine rideshare. Nathaniel Rowland, the impostor driver, had other plans, leading to Sami's death. This heartbreaking incident prompted Sami's parents, Seymour and Marci Josephson, to establish the nonprofit foundation.
At HRI, the SAMI protocol hopes to spare others from a similar ordeal. On a busy airport day, rideshare impostors frequently hang around the loop, targeting weary travelers with cash for a quick ride, according to 2024 reports from HRI staffers to KTNV-TV/Las Vegas.
These drivers are not licensed by rideshare or taxi companies, putting them outside the reach of crucial background checks and monitoring systems. A spokesperson for HRI shared, "We're thrilled to be allies in this mission and help educate our community on safe rideshare practices."
Since 2024, HRI has serviced over 58,000 passengers annually, setting a new record. The introduction of SAMI signs marks added protection for this bustling crowd. Keep an eye out for these helpful hints, Las Vegas! 🤘🏃♂️
- Harry Reid International Airport, known as the Entertainment Capital's hub, has implemented the SAMI protocol to enhance rideshare safety for passengers.
- SAMI stands for Stop, Ask ("What's my name?"), Match, and Inform, a simple yet effective safety measure introduced by the What's My Name Foundation.
- The unfortunate incident involving Samantha "Sami" Josephson, a University of South Carolina student who met her demise after mistaking an impostor driver for a legitimate rideshare, inspired the establishment of the foundation.
- At Harry Reid International Airport, the SAMI protocol aims to protect travelers from such ordeals, particularly on bustling days when unlicensed drivers sometimes target weary passengers for rides.
- These rideshare impostors, not affiliated with any legitimate rideshare or taxi companies, tend to operate without undergoing crucial background checks and monitoring systems.
- Harry Reid International Airport, with over 58,000 annual passengers, is enhancing its security by deploying SAMI protocol signs in Uber and Lyft pickup zones.
