Uber increases alcohol consumption, according to a study

Some drivers [irresponsible] decide to drive their cars with an extra glass, or after having used drugs. But apparently transport platforms are not the solution to reduce alcohol consumption.

A study recently published by a team of economists ensures that the rise of companies like Uber or Lyft encourages users to drink more. At least in the United States.
The study, titled 'Do Ridesharing Services Increase Alcohol Consumption?' ("Do you share travel services increase alcohol consumption?") Analyzes the connection between transportation services and habits around alcohol consumption in cities and metropolitan areas of the United States.

Previous research had revealed that the introduction of Uber's transportation service was associated with a 10% decrease in fatal alcohol-related accidents; a 10% decrease in arrests for drunk driving in Seattle and a 25 to 35% decrease in alcohol-related accidents in four districts of New York City.

However, this study wanted to delve into this topic, following for example other research that has found that Uber's most demanded schedule correlates with the closing hours of bars in cities such as Chicago, Pittsburgh and Miami.

The research revolves around the hypothesis that once the transport alternative is available, a restriction is eliminated, which leads to a local increase in both the frequency and the amount of alcohol consumption and other risk behaviors.

Researchers have used official data on alcohol consumption habits at a stage that covers 2009-2016, as well as statistics on the demand for UberX (when it landed in a city, for example).

Thus, it has been stipulated that UberX is associated with:

    A 3.1% increase in the average number of drinks consumed per day.
    A 2.8% increase in the number of drinking days per month.
    A 4.9% increase in the maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion.
    A 9% increase in the prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption.

Drink

On the other hand, the connection between the increase in alcohol intake and the use of this service is even more pronounced in areas where public transport is deficient.

Taking these results into account, we conclude that although the use of these platforms after consuming alcohol helps eliminate road accidents, it can aggravate potentially dangerous social behaviors derived from the use of this drug.

See accidents (falls), diseases, addictions, violent or risky behaviors ... Moral? The less alcohol, the better