DUIs Fall 32 Percent in Atlanta Over Last Five Years

Atlanta, GA -- DUIs have fallen in Atlanta by 32 percent over the last five years, according to a statement released by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Uber.

"We believe that technologies like Uber provide an incredible opportunity to improve road safety in new and innovative ways," according to a news release from Colleen Sheehey-Church, MADD national president, and Joe Sullivan, Uber's chief security officer.

Data from the Atlanta Police Department show DUI arrests from 2010 to 2015 fell from 2,243 to 1,535, a 32 percent decline. Uber says the decline coincided with the company's rise in Atlanta operations:

But while DUI convictions in Georgia have been dropping, there may be multiple reasons besides ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.

Figures from the state Department of Driver Services show DUI convictions fell from 44,017 in 2008 to 32,514 in 2013. But the data also shows the number of the number of people refusing the sobriety test doubled, from 5,608 in 2008 to 11,480 in 2013.

GBI figures show lower totals that those from Driver Services, but the same trend on DUI convictions. Statewide convictions decreased from 33,844 in 2008 to 21,953 in 2013, with the biggest reduction coming in the final year of that span, according to GBI data.

Chuck Spahos of the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council told Georgia Health News that courts are not giving complete data to the GBI, and the actual number of DUI convictions over that period was much higher. He also says cutbacks in local law enforcement agencies are a factor.

Robert Wilson, head of the National Safety Council’s Georgia chapter, says decreases in DUI convictions doesn't mean safer roads. “We don’t have the problem under control,’’ Wilson said. “Budgets in cities, counties and at the state level are being shrunk or cut, [meaning] fewer law enforcement out in the evening, when most DUI arrests occur.”

But if fewer people are drinking and driving, the creation of DUI task forces could be motivating drivers to be more careful.

The Nighthawks Task Force began in October 2004, and it patrols Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties during peak DUI related hours. The program, funded through the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, has been expanded several times to include more counties and personnel.