diff --git a/ride/rides/acceptRide.php b/ride/rides/acceptRide.php
index 459efbf..86402f7 100755
--- a/ride/rides/acceptRide.php
+++ b/ride/rides/acceptRide.php
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@
 
 include "../../connect.php";
 
+try {
+    $con_ride = Database::get('ride');
+} catch (Exception $e) {
+    error_log("[accept_ride] Failed to connect to Ride Database: " . $e->getMessage());
+    printFailure("Database connection failed");
+    exit;
+}
+
 // ── 1. Input & Validation ──────────────────────────────────────
 $rideId = filterRequest("id");
 $driverId = filterRequest("driver_id");
diff --git a/ride/rides/add_ride.php b/ride/rides/add_ride.php
index a752215..626bd95 100755
--- a/ride/rides/add_ride.php
+++ b/ride/rides/add_ride.php
@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@
 
 include "../../connect.php";
 
+try {
+    $con_ride = Database::get('ride');
+} catch (Exception $e) {
+    error_log("[add_ride] Failed to connect to Ride Database: " . $e->getMessage());
+    printFailure("Database connection failed");
+    exit;
+}
+
 error_log("[add_ride] Request started. passenger_id=" . ($_POST['passenger_id'] ?? '?'));
 
 // ── 1. Input ───────────────────────────────────────────────────