You know the benefits of carpooling, and you've registered with RideSearch.com, the free nationwide service that connects like-minded rideshare commuters. So now what do you do? How do you find the right person to share your morning drive?

While RideSearch.com offers a convenient, cost-free way to find carpool buddies, it's up to you to find the right match - and to do it as safely as possible. After all, you're offering to share your vehicle with strangers, and you'll want to be sure that they have the same rideshare goals as you, that you can comfortably travel together and - most important of all - that you'll be safe. Ridesearch offers the following tips to help ensure your safety:

Be smart, and meet other carpoolers before you commit. It's wise to set up an initial meeting in a public place such as a restaurant or coffee house to get acquainted. Don't be afraid to ask personal questions - after all, you'll be sharing a car with this person! Discuss your work schedules, driving preferences, and why you both want to carpool. This is a time for finding out who this person is, and deciding if you want to give ridesharing a try.

Consider carpooling with three or more. Even if you like your new carpool pal, it doesn't mean that they're trustworthy. There's safety in numbers - if one of your rideshare partners is a bad apple, you're assured that there'll be another person in the car. You'll also save money and drive less, which is an added bonus!

Keep your personal information private until you know who you're dealing with. Your first instinct as a carpooler will be to have your rideshare partner pick you up at home - but consider keeping your home address to yourself until you feel you know the person you're driving with. A neutral meeting place like a school, park, or church is a good idea. No one wants to be paranoid, but being cautious is always a good idea.

Likewise, before you start carpooling, be sure someone else knows who you'll be with. Get the license number of the car you'll be traveling in (if not your own) and give it to a friend or family member. Take a snapshot of your rideshare partner's car and e-mail it to a friend. Your carpool buddy should understand your wanting to be cautious - after all, they should be doing the same!

The odds that you'll meet someone on RideSearch.com who isn't trustworthy are slim - after all, users are just people like you, who want to save money, aggravation and be environmentally responsible. But be smart, and trust your instincts. After all, if you have a bad feeling about one carpooler, RideSearch offers a lot of others who'll be a great fit!