Florida Police Chiefs Association Joins Uber for First Florida DUI Reduction Roundtable
-Data suggests access to Uber helps reduce drunk driving-
(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Police Chiefs Association joined Uber today for the first Florida DUI Reduction Roundtable to discuss how ridesharing has helped changed the mindset of Floridians when it comes to the way people think about impaired driving.
In almost all cities where Uber operates, peak rider times are late at night, when bars close, and typically on the weekend. In fact, an Uber-led study showed that in Miami ridership peaked at the same time as when most drunk driving crashes historically occur, around midnight.
“Services that increase access to safe and sober rides can help change the staggering statistics of alcohol related crashes and arrests in Florida,” said Tallahassee Chief of Police Michael DeLeo, District 3 Director for the Florida Police Chiefs Association. “It’s incredibly important for us to have conversations with public entities and private companies. When we work together to better educate Floridians and provide them with safe options for transportation, as a community we stand a better chance of reducing the number of DUIs and DUI fatalities.”
David Pinsker, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Florida State Executive Director stated, “MADD works to educate drivers to plan ahead if their plans include alcohol, such as choosing a non-drinking designated driver, calling a cab, taking public transportation or using your smart phone to request Uber. Florida needs transportation options that empower individuals to make safer, better choices and can help save lives. Together, we can create a future with no more victims of drunk driving because even one victim is one too many. Uber can be an important tool in making that future a reality.”
“Every day in the United States 30 people are killed in car crashes that involve a drunk driver. That’s one person every 51 minutes,” said Amanda DeSantis, Trust and Safety Lead, Uber. “At Uber we aim to change the way people think about drinking and driving. By providing a safe, reliable, and convenient transportation option for Floridians, we empower people to make the right decision and help make our communities safer.”
Facts on Uber Safety and Drunk Driving
- In an Uber-led report, 78 percent of people surveyed said that since Uber launched in their city, their friends are less likely to drive after drinking.
- In an Uber-led report, Miami Uber ridership peaked at the same time as when drunk driving crashes historically occur (around midnight).
- In 2014 alone, Florida had 5,660 confirmed crashes involving alcohol, 416 confirmed fatal crashes involving alcohol consumption, and 42,745 DUI arrests.
- In California the number of alcohol-related crashes decreased by 6.5 percent among drivers under 30 since the launch of uberX in areas where the company operates.
Uber launched a statewide petition drive to urge Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) and his colleagues to pass sensible ridesharing legislation. To date, tens of thousands of Floridians have taken a stand in support of Uber. The petition can be found here: Support Uber Florida.
