Suburban Chicago police chief: Lyft and Uber have helped cut DUI arrests by 31%

Photo of DUI stop provided by Riverside Illinois Police Department

RIVERSIDE, Illinois (Fox 32 News) - A suburban Chicago police chief said there has been a dramatic reduction in DUI arrests, which he says is thanks to rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.

Riverside Police said in the first six months of 2017, DUI arrests dropped 31 percent.

"In speaking with other chiefs and my officers, they have no doubt that rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber that provide intoxicated people a safe ride home with little to no inconvenience, is resulting in fewer DUI
arrests by police agencies in greater metro Cook County," said Police Chief Thomas Weitzel in a statement.

Weitzel said he would like to see rideshare companies doing more advertising in bars, restaurants and at sporting events to target potentially drunk drivers.