Don’t regulate Uber out of existence

EVERYONE LIKES TO HAVE OPTIONS. Massachusetts certainly has plenty of them. Hundreds of colleges and universities, some of the best sports teams in the country, and countless lively bars and restaurants. As residents and visitors alike enjoy all the Commonwealth has to offer, we need to be extra vigilant against the dangers of drunk driving in our communities.

One of our primary missions at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to educate drivers to make better choices when consuming alcohol, such as choosing a non-drinking designated driver, taking public transportation, or using a smartphone to request Uber. We believe in giving people as many safe options to make better decisions as possible, not limiting them.

Uber is a popular technology platform that allows users to safely request an affordable and reliable ride with a few taps on a mobile device. Uber partners with vetted local drivers to connect Boston area residents and visitors with door-to-door rides.

Uber came to Boston just over four years ago, and since launching, it has provided millions of residents and visitors with access to a reliable transportation option. After a night out or a day at Fenway, riders know they can trust Uber driver-partners to get them to their destinations safely – especially during the times they need a reliable ride most.

MADD and Uber have teamed up on a number of initiatives, and most recently, MADD and Uber released a comprehensive national study which found that Uber can be a powerful tool in helping to reduce the number of drunk driving crashes. In a survey conducted as part of our study, 88 percent of respondents over the age of 21 agree with the statement that “Uber has made it easier for me to avoid driving home when I’ve had too much to drink.” When people have options, especially those that are just a click away on their smartphones, they are less likely to get behind the wheel intoxicated.

In cities across the US, Uber has proven it can be a powerful partner and option to get a safe ride home. In Seattle, the city has seen a 10 percent decrease in DUI arrests since Uber arrived in 2011. In California markets where Uber operates uberX, drunk-driving crashes fell by about 60 per month among drivers under 30. That’s an estimated total of 1,800 crashes prevented since July 2012.

Back here in Boston, when drunk driving rates are highest, between 10pm and 3am, Uber sees a huge spike in the ratio between trips from bars and all other trips. Similarly, Uber sees a citywide spike in ride requests in the middle of the night on weekends. It is at precisely those times when drunk driving crashes are likeliest that Uber helps most to take people out from behind the wheel. This is a critical correlation that indicates the real and lasting impact Uber can have on reducing drunk driving in cities across the state by providing individuals with a smart, convenient alternative.

All across Massachusetts, Uber provides a reliable alternative to make our roads safer from the dangers of drunk driving. MADD and millions of volunteers across the country have worked hard to educate drivers and work towards a future with no more victims of drunk driving.

Right now the Massachusetts State Legislature is drafting regulations that will determine the future of ridesharing companies like Uber in the Commonwealth. I implore them to ensure that those regulations support options like Transportation Network Companies that empower residents and visitors to make smart, safe choices that ultimately save lives. With millions of residents and visitors traveling our roadways and streets every year, we can’t afford to take away a safe option.

We at MADD hope that the members of the House and Senate look to the more than 25 other states across the country that have implemented sensible regulatory frameworks that embrace this added option. We have no doubt that supporting these important options will keep our streets and cities safer for both residents and visitors for years to come.

NOTE: Uber and Lyft are sponsors of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 

Colleen Sheehey-Church is the national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 

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