Two separate studies from ridesharing competitors Lyft and Uber have one common thread: benefits ridesharing services bring to society. The Lyft study claims most commuters who drive to work would give up vehicles for a different commute option, and Uber's research claims rideshare programs can help keep drunk drivers off the road.
The Lyft and Harris Interactive report reveals 88 percent of driving commuters dislike at least one element of the commute and 45 percent would give up vehicles for other options. The study states 75 percent would share a ride with someone they didn't know beforehand and about 57 percent said they'd ride with a stranger for convenience.
"Lyft is built on our community, and we wanted to learn more about how people enjoy their ride," Lyft told Tech Times. "We were happy to learn that 75 percent of Americans would share a ride with someone they've never met, and that nearly half would be willing to get rid of their cars."
Around 55 percent of commuters willing to rideshare with a stranger said they would do so to save money, about 30 percent cited environmental reasons, roughly 13 percent want to network for business, and 9 percent want the commute time to explore love interests.
As far as what commuters want to listen to during commutes, rock was most preferred category and, apparently, EDM or club music didn't account for a share large enough to be mentioned. The top 40 list had 16 percent, country music grabbed 12 percent, and talk radio claimed 12 percent.
Rideshare rival Uber's report (PDF), conducted with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, claims there are enough people who drive drunk each day to fill up the University of Phoenix stadium four times.
Of those polled regarding drunk driving trends, 78 percent of respondents indicated friends have been less likely to drive drunk since the arrival of Uber and other ridesharing services. Around 93 percent stated they'd recommend ridesharing to any of their friends who had been drinking, which Uber says is an encouraging trend.
"In Miami, Uber ridership is peaking at the same hour that historically has been the worst for drunk driving," says Uber. "In Pittsburgh, demand for Uber spikes at closing time for bars. In Chicago, three-fourths of Uber trips on New Year's Eve were requested within 1/8 mile of establishments with liquor licenses."
