10 Jun Rideshares Decrease Alcohol-Associated MVAs and Drunk Driving Convictions

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Conner

Christopher Conner, MD, PhD
Neurosurgery resident
McGovern Medical School
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: There has been a growing understanding in medicine that the incidence of motor vehicle trauma is changing. We have watched as Friday and Saturday night emergencies have declined without a good explanation. Several other studies have investigated this, but the results were not conclusive.

We think that is due to a lack of data from the rideshare companies and hospitals directly 

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: We were able to quantify the relationship between rideshares and traumas on an hourly basis and look at drunk driving convictions in a single study. From that, we showed that both car accidents and drunk driving decrease as great numbers of people utilize rideshares.  

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Rideshare services are an effective means to decrease alcohol-associated motor vehicle crashes and drunk driving convictions. This finding is important as car accidents are a leading cause of death and disability in the US, and it has been challenging to combat this epidemic.  

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: There is work to be done looking at if this result is similar in cities other than Houston and if socioeconomic factors affect the relationship significantly.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: No study is perfect, and there is always the risk of equating correlation and causation. Hopefully, our work will add to the discussion on what services rideshares offer and what we are willing to pay for them.

There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Citation:

Conner CR, Ray HM, McCormack RM, et al. Association of Rideshare Use With Alcohol-Associated Motor Vehicle Crash Trauma. JAMA Surg. Published online June 09, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2021.2227

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Last Updated on June 10, 2021 by Marie Benz MD FAAD