Can the use of ride sharing reduce drunk driving?

January 07, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Throughout North America we struggle with impaired driving rates. It seems that New York City has taken a few steps that have been really effective in dropping their impaired driving rates by 40% in the last year. This is great news for everyone, and there may be some key lessons to take away from their success.

The police credit major educational campaigns using social media widely to warn about drunk driving. They have also stepped up their presence outside of bars and nightclubs throughout the city. They stand outside of the bar entrances making a show of force to remind people that they are being watched and that if they do get behind the wheel of their cars they will be stopped. This has resulted in lower rates of drunkenness of people in the bars as well. Law enforcement sources have suggested that partiers are consuming considerably less alcohol.

The third piece of the puzzle has been the success of Uber and other car sharing aps which has made the once long wait for a taxi a thing of the past. MADD and the police agree that offering party goers with as many easy ways to get home as possible is the key to reducing the chance they’ll get behind the wheel of a car themselves.

Other car services can also be called which will take you in your own car home with a licences sober driver at the wheel. Many of these services are only slightly more expensive than a cab ride and also deliver the party goes home in safety with their car. They are credited as being particularly helpful in discouraging impaired drivers whose primary concern is leaving their car behind and the hassle involved retrieving it later.

Public transit in larger centres is also a wonderful way for people who are going out to party to get home safely. The transit systems have to be large enough, and open late enough to be an effective alternative though. If people can’t get home on the bus or subway then they are much more likely to drive.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service reported that in Waterloo Region in 2015 we had 12 fatalities, and 475 drivers charged with impaired driving on Regional Roadways. As always if you see someone driving erratically, or you see an impaired person get into their car to drive you should call 911 and report them to police. You may be saving a life.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.