Is there an Uber effect? It depends who you ask

CLEVELAND — You might think fewer people will drink and drive if they have access an easy, affordable alternative.

It’s not that simple.

A News5 review of studies on the effects of ridesharing apps on drunk driving reached differing conclusions.

A West Carolina University found Uber led to a reduction in drunk driving-related fatalities across the country.

Another study found a 25 to 35 percent decrease in drunk driving-related motor vehicle accidents in New York City after Uber arrived in 2011.

A 2015 Temple University study found motor vehicle deaths decreased in California as more people turned to ridesharing services.

However, a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, which used data from 100 counties, uncovered no connection between motor vehicle fatalities and ridesharing services.

Data obtained from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows OVI related arrests and accidents have remained strikingly steady over the last five years.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers arrested 24,130 drivers for OVI in 2013, 24,704 in 2014, 24,676 in 2015, 25,276 in 2016, 27,372 in 2017, and 26,550 so far in 2018.

Data shows there 13,559 OVI motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013, 14,126 in 2014, 14,332 in 2015, 14,506 in 2016, 14,481 in 2017, and 12,554 in 2018.

An Ohio State Highway Patrol spokesperson said 2018 crash reports are still being recorded so the total number will rise within the next few months.