Dr. Samantha Galvan, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Business Analytics at Our Lady of the Lake University, has co-authored a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, one of the field’s most respected and influential journals.
Her article, “Drink, but Please Don’t Drive: Spillover Effects of Ridesharing on Alcohol Sales and Drunk Driving Arrests,” examines the impact of ridesharing on both consumer behavior and public safety. Using alcohol sales data across Texas and arrest records from Bexar County, the research finds that:
- Alcohol sales at bars and restaurants increase by 10.1% when ridesharing services become available.
- At the same time, drunk driving arrests decrease by 5%, with the greatest relative reductions seen among younger drivers, women, and minority populations.
The study highlights a dual benefit of ridesharing: expanding consumer freedom while reducing public safety risks. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, hospitality leaders, and marketers as they navigate the effects of disruptive technologies on society.