New research on the effects of Uber have found that cities with the ride service have experienced a downturn in DUI rates, but they have also experienced an increase in motor vehicle thefts.
The study took a close look at more than 150 cities which have introduced Uber as a ridesharing option. In an effort to understand the full effect of Uber on crime rates, researchers look at the statistics for a variety of crimes both before and after Uber was introduced to the city. Some of the crimes they studied included:
- Drunk Driving
- Assaults
- Vehicle Theft
- Disorderly Conduct
After examining the data, researchers noted that Uber seemed to have an effect on each of the above crimes. Here’s how they were impacted, along with the their beliefs as to why the crime rates changed.
Uber and Crime Rates
Drunk Driving – For DUIs, researchers witnessed a one-time 33 percent decline with the introduction of Uber and an average annual decline of 51 percent each year after Uber’s entry. The reasoning behind the dropoff is rather straightforward. Uber is often a cheaper and quicker option than a regular cab, and people realize it is a much better option than driving home drunk.
Assaults – Researchers noted that there was a slight decline in assault rates in cities that introduced Uber. Authors had mixed theories about how Uber would impact assaults at the study outset, with some thinking assaults would increase as Ubers could lead people to drink more and get in more fights since they know they have a safe ride home, while others believed Ubers helped deescalate the situation by offering parties a quick option to leave a potentially volatile scene. In the end, the results showed that assaults tended to decline in cities that introduced Uber.
Vehicle Theft – Arrests for motor vehicle thefts more than doubled after the introduction of Uber. Researchers believe it’s because patrons leave their cars parked in lots or on the street overnight near the bar when they get a ride home from Uber, giving car thieves easy, unattended targets.
Disorderly Conduct – Disorderly conduct arrests fell by between 14 and 42 percent in cities that introduced Uber. Similar to assaults, researchers believe that Ubers could allow patrons to leave a tense situation quickly, and it allows bars to get unruly patrons away from their business and other customers. The generally quick pick-up times also reduce the time spent waiting outside at bar time, when many disorderly conducts take place.
For more information on the study, click here.
