Ride hailing app use and drunk/drugged driving among young adult nightclub patrons. 2021

Steven P Kurtz, and Mance E Buttram
Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, Florida.

Nightclub patrons who consume alcohol and drugs in these venues would appear to be an important population to target with on-demand ride hailing app (RHA) services to reduce drunk/drugged driving (DUI). The present study is an exploratory examination of RHA use to avoid DUI behavior, as well as the perceived barriers and benefits of such RHA use, among young adult nightclub patrons in Miami who use drugs. Completers of a 2011-2015 randomized controlled trial of brief interventions to reduce health risk behaviors among young adult nightclub patrons were recruited to participate in a single self-administered computer-assisted interview about health risks, driving behaviors, and RHA perceptions and use. Recruitment (N = 123) began in June 2016 and ended in July 2017. Bivariable logistic regression and ANOVA models examined group differences between: (a) those who had used an RHA to avoid DUI vs. not; and (b) those who used RHAs as their primary mode of transportation to nightclubs vs. not. About half were female (52.8%); median age was 29; 59.4% Hispanic, 31.7% Black, 8.1% white, 0.8% other race/ethnicity. Recent alcohol and marijuana use were almost universally endorsed, and more than half reported recent use/misuse of cocaine (72.4%), MDMA (63.4%), and prescription benzodiazepines (62.6%) and opioids (56.9%). More than 80% reported driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in the past 12 months, and 17.1% experienced a DUI arrest in the prior two years. Almost two-thirds (65.9%) of participants had used an on-demand RHA to avoid DUI, but self-driving or riding in another's car were the most common (76.4%) primary modes of transportation to clubs. RHAs were the primary mode of travel to clubs for 21 (17.1%) respondents. Participants whose friends strongly disapproved of DUI were more than twice as likely to have used RHAs for this reason compared to those who had not done so. Those reporting RHA use to avoid DUI were less likely than others to have driven under the influence in the past 12 months and were somewhat more likely to endorse DUI-related risks. Those who used alternate modes of transportation were more likely than those who used RHAs as their primary mode of transportation to clubs to endorse the expense of RHAs and the lack of RHA drivers near their favorite clubs as barriers to RHA use to travel to nightclubs. This novel study among a high-risk population points to the potential for on-demand RHAs to reduce DUI behaviors and arrests among young adult nightclub patrons who consume alcohol and/or drugs in the context of the club experience. Our findings point to key educational, peer support, and structural targets for intervention to increase the use of RHAs among this population, specifically, club-based incentives for increasing RHA availability and affordability. Research is needed to fully elucidate the findings of this exploratory study, including potential differences in intervention approaches depending on the location-specific public transportation options.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D012147 Restaurants An establishment where meals are cooked, sold and served to customers. Restaurant
D005260 Female Females
D005431 Florida State bounded on east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Gulf of Mexico, on the west by Alabama and on the north by Alabama and Georgia.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000066448 Driving Under the Influence Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other drugs including those prescribed by physicians. Drinking and Driving,Driving While Intoxicated,Drunk Driving,Drunken Driving,Driving and Drinking,Driving, Drunk,Driving, Drunken,While Intoxicated, Driving
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D063731 Mobile Applications Computer programs or software installed on mobile electronic devices which support a wide range of functions and uses which include television, telephone, video, music, word processing, and Internet service. Mobile Apps,Smartphone Apps,Portable Electronic Applications,Portable Electronic Apps,Portable Software Applications,Portable Software Apps,App, Mobile,App, Portable Electronic,App, Portable Software,App, Smartphone,Application, Mobile,Application, Portable Electronic,Application, Portable Software,Applications, Mobile,Apps, Mobile,Apps, Smartphone,Electronic App, Portable,Electronic Application, Portable,Mobile App,Mobile Application,Portable Electronic App,Portable Electronic Application,Portable Software App,Portable Software Application,Smartphone App,Software App, Portable,Software Application, Portable

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