Over the past few years, researchers suggest that ride share apps, such as Uber, can help in reducing driving under the influence, or DUI incidents. With such services on the rise, it is almost apparent that drunk driving should decrease, especially in cities where this business is popular. The rideshare industry now provides an affordable and efficient way to move from one point to another. While the sector received criticism in the first quarter for allegedly intruding on the taxi business, several studies prove that these apps help reduce DUI accidents. Here is how ride share apps can help reduce DUI accidents.
1. Traffic Congestion. Traffic congestion is one of the most annoying things for almost every driver. Any driver can attest that you can waste several hours sitting in traffic. Additionally, your car will burn more fuel than you anticipated. With this kind of frustration, a drunk driver may decide to overlap or drive in the wrong lane. Such driving behaviors will endanger both the drunk driver and other motorists. Ride share apps not only reduces the number of vehicles on the road, but they also reduce instances of drunk driving.
2. Payment Options. Technology has made it easier for everyone to use different payment services. The mobile payment system is perhaps the most convenient payment service, nevertheless not all taxi companies, drivers, and passengers welcome this technology. Most rideshare apps understand this concept, and that is why they support different payment options. After a night out, a driver may run out of cash and opt to drive himself home. However, with the convenience of other payment options, he or she can take an Uber home.
3. Speed of Service. Most people do not like waiting on a line to catch a bus or for a driver to pick them up. A mobile app streamlines the booking process. A drunk person will not have to waste time on dispatcher calls or stand in the streets to look for a taxi. An Uber or Lyft driver will answer the call quickly, and the app will do all the logistics. Since ride share apps use mapping technologies such as Google Maps, the drunk person can monitor the car’s location as he or she waits and when on the move. As such, an intoxicated person is more likely to trust an Uber compared to a cab.
4. Partnership. By partnering with organizations such as MADD, rideshare apps can help reduce DUI accidents. Such partnerships create awareness about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. The partnership can offer people with an alternative and safe way to get home after drinking night. Most drunk drivers always come up with an excuse to drive after drinking. However, such partnerships can show people all the reasons to remain safe even after having too many drinks.
Drunk driving continues to be a problem all over the world. However, as the ride sharing markets expand to different areas, drunk driving fatalities will decrease significantly.