The results were mixed. Alcohol-related crashes decreased by 61.8 per cent as Uber resumed its services in Portland, and 58.9 per cent in San Antonio. However, in Reno there was no noticeable change. In Las Vegas, there were no figures available for the number of alcohol-related crashes. “This research suggests the technology is likely to affect crashes, particularly alcohol-involved crashes, differently from city to city,” said lead author Christopher Morrison. The variations are down to differences in the cites themselves, the researchers explain.

“The observed variability may be due to the different conditions within these cities,” said senior author Douglas J Wiebe. “For example, in a denser urban center with congested traffic and limited parking a person may be more likely to use a ride-sharing service to get around.”