Uber© and other ridesharing businesses offer a crucial public service, helping us get where we need to go without the hassle, cost, and wait times of a traditional taxi or private luxury-car provider. Since the emergence of these businesses, there is evidence to suggest that they may actually be helping to reduce instances of drunk driving. Below, the defense attorneys at Arnold Law Offices in Pell City, Alabama, explore the relationship between Uber and drunk driving.

More Accessible Rides = Fewer Drunk Drivers on the Road

Rideshares make it incredibly easy to summon a car whenever you need one. A few taps of a smartphone app, and, in most areas of the country, a car will be at your door in minutes. One independent study conducted in New York City found that in four of the city boroughs, alcohol-related traffic accidents are down 25% to 35% since Uber hit the roads in 2011. Another study—this one conducted in Seattle—determined that DUI arrests were down 10%, meaning a reduced need for defense attorneys, alcohol intervention programs, and lengthy license suspensions.

Not all studies, however, have come to the same or similar conclusions.

Some Exceptions

Other research conducted in similarly-populated environments has not replicated the results of the New York City and Seattle studies, which is a bit surprising since more accessible rides should, logically, equate to fewer drunk drivers getting behind the wheel. There are likely a couple of reasons for the disparities in these findings, namely the fact that intoxicated people are often not clearheaded enough to make logical decisions like choosing Uber.

Also, not every city has the same number and ready availability of Uber drivers as New York and Seattle, and other variables, like a city's public transportation (or lack thereof), can also play a role in how many drunk drivers eventually choose to get behind the wheel.

When it comes down to it, Uber is a relatively new phenomenon, so it may be hard to deduce just what relationship exists between rideshare services and drunk driving. Regardless, calling a rideshare app or a taxi when you've had too much to drink just makes sense. But if you've been charged with a DUI, the defense attorneys at Arnold Law Offices are here to help. Call (205) 338- 6565, visit their website, or send them a message on Facebook to set up a consultation today.