Ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft have becoming increasingly popular in many metropolitan areas, and the Twin Cities are no different. In fact, we even partnered with Uber a while back to help inebriated patrons get home safe after a night on the town. And while not everyone is happy with Uber’s entrance onto the public transportation scene, it’s clear the service is working, and some are suggesting that Uber can be credited with lowering DUI numbers in some areas.
To determine just how effective Uber has been at preventing people from getting behind the wheel when drunk, researchers at Temple University examined police data in California when Uber began operating in numerous cities around the state. After looking at the DUI data before and after the addition of UberX, Uber’s basic ride service, researchers uncovered that there was a small but strong correlation between its introduction and a reduction in DUI deaths within the next three months. Analysts said alcohol-related traffic deaths fell by about 3-5% in those cities. It is clear that Uber has had a positive impact on people not driving and going for the safer option. Commanding a fleet on this level is a huge job but using the right fleet management software from a website like Lytx can help provide that safe journey from point A to point B without the worry of a DUI.
Why The Drop?
Cabs and other forms of transportation have been around for for decades prior to the introduction of Uber, so why the drop in alcohol-related crashes? Experts suggest it all comes down to one key factor – price.
The average UberX price is about 20-30% cheaper than a traditional taxi for the same route, and researchers say that’s a key component for people out on the town. Although both options would be much cheaper than contesting a DUI arrest, the prospect of a $39 ride is much preferred to the same ride for $60, and oftentimes the Uber arrives much faster than the cab.
Researchers say price was the key component because alcohol-related traffic deaths didn’t fall when Uber’s more expensive service, UberBlack, came to town.
In all, Uber is a great service that can get you home safe after a night on the town, but it’s always worth spending a little more to avoid a DUI. If I asked all my clients if they could go back in time and pay $60 for a cab instead of getting behind the wheel, all of them would shell out a little more for a cab than face the consequences of a DUI. Don’t drive home just because no Uber cars are available, make the smart decision to find a sober ride home.
