Study: Uber Might Have Curbed Drunk Driving, But Not Drunks

An article published by The Economist reveals a new twist in the ongoing scientific inquiry into the effects ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft have had in society:

Among other things, Uber has made it far easier for party-goers to get home safely. One study published in 2017 found that after Uber’s arrival in Portland, Oregon, alcohol-related car crashes declined by 62%. But at the same time, the spread of ride-hailing apps may have tempted people to drink to excess, knowing that they won’t be at the wheel. A new study by three economists—Jacob Burgdorf and Conor Lennon of the University of Louisville, and Keith Teltser of Georgia State University—finds that the widespread availability of ride-sharing apps has indeed made it easier for the late-night crowd to binge.

The article details the city's methodology, and briefly discusses the scientific ambivalence about the public health impacts of ride-hailing companies.