A majority of riders surveyed across 10 countries say Uber helps prevent impaired driving and serves as their designated driver for a night out.
Drunk driving continues to be one of the leading causes of road fatalities around the world. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 300,000 people die each year globally due to alcohol-related traffic crashes—an urgent and preventable public health challenge.
This year, we commissioned Morning Consult to conduct a poll of 5,000 riders in ten of Uber’s top mobility markets: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The goal was to understand how riders perceive Uber’s impact on drunk driving.
Key Findings
- Drunk driving remains a major concern: Across all the countries surveyed, 95% of riders said drunk driving is a problem in their country. Agreement was especially high in Argentina, India, and Australia, where 98% of respondents recognized it as an issue.
- Uber is seen as part of the solution: Across the ten countries surveyed, 86% of riders said they believe the Uber platform has reduced drunk driving in their country and made it safer to get around. This includes 91% of respondents in Australia, 90% in the US and 88% in Brazil.
- Riders rely on Uber to avoid impaired driving: A majority of respondents—82% —reported that they use the Uber app as their designated driver. In Argentina and Mexico, that figure reached 85%. Additionally, at least three-quarters of respondents in every country included in the survey said that either they or someone they know uses Uber as an alternative to drinking and driving. In Argentina and Australia, that number was as high as 9 in 10.
- Riders routinely plan ahead to use Uber when going out: In Mexico, Brazil, and Australia, over 80% of riders said they decide to use Uber before going out to drink. This behavior aligns with our Decide to Ride campaign with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Anheuser-Busch, which reminds people: “You can’t drive drunk if you don’t drive there.”
- Rideshare is ranked among the most effective tools in reducing DUIs: In Brazil (49%), Canada (52%), and Australia (46%), rideshare was cited more frequently than other strategies—such as DUI checkpoints or education campaigns—when respondents were asked what has had the biggest impact in reducing drunk driving in their country.
These survey results echo independent research showing Uber’s real-world impact on reducing drunk driving and saving lives. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association found a 24% drop in alcohol-related crash fatalities in Houston, Texas, after Uber launched. Nationally, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found Uber’s presence was associated with a 5.2% decline in traffic fatalities in the US, translating to more than 600 lives saved in a single year.
As this new survey data shows, riders around the world are increasingly making intentional, safety-first decisions—choosing Uber instead of driving under the influence. We’re proud to be part of the solution to ending drunk driving, and we thank the riders who make responsible choices and the drivers who help make those choices possible.
To learn more about Uber’s commitment to making our roads safer for everyone, visit uber.com/roadsafety.
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