Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have become ubiquitous features of our daily lives and are an increasingly common means of transportation as well as being a popular side-hustle for drivers. One often touted benefit of ride-sharing is that it avoids the need to drive after drinking, but has ride-sharing reduced the number of drunk driving accidents in the United States?
Does ride-sharing reduce drunk driving crashes?
A review of 20 studies on ride-sharing revealed a connection between ride-sharing and a reduction in drunk driving accidents. The review stated that ride-sharing may be popular because it is less expensive and more convenient compared to other forms of transportation such as taxis and public transit. However, the review went on to explain that in locations where ride-sharing was an option the number of pedestrian accidents went up.
Tips for avoiding drunk driving crashes
While any decrease in drunk driving crashes is a good thing, we still must be vigilant and understand how alcohol affects our driving abilities. Alcohol use may lead to a pleasant feeling in some, but the same deadening of senses that some find enjoyable can be very dangerous when combined with driving.
There are some steps you can take to avoid drunk driving and to keep others from drunk driving.
One tip is to plan a safe way home if you want to drink. Ride-sharing is one option for getting home after a night out drinking. So is taking a taxi, the bus or riding with a designated driver.
You can also help your friends avoid drunk driving. If someone you are with has had too much alcohol and wants to drive home, you may need to take away their car keys and help them find a safe way home. If you are serving alcohol to others at your home, ensure that your guests have a safe way home with a sober driver.
Finally, if you are driving and you are sharing a road with a drunk driver you can call the police and give them your location and the motorist’s license plate number or a description of their vehicle. Your tip could save someone’s life.
Drunk driving crashes can be devastating. If you are injured in an auto crash caused by a drunk driver you will want to make sure you understand your right to seek compensation.
