This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New research published in Economic Inquiry reveals that ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft may reduce crime in some areas. Based on data collected during the staggered rollout of ridesharing services in U.S. cities since 2010, the study showed that these services were linked to a 4.6% reduction in the rate of violent crimes, a 5.6% reduction in the rate of property crimes and a 10.5% reduction in the rate of burglaries.
No significant effects were observed on larceny, motor vehicle theft or arson. Improved employment opportunities generated by ridesharing platforms may have played an important role in these crime reductions. "My findings suggest that digital platforms may generate public safety benefits beyond their primary commercial purpose," said study author Emtiaz Hossain Hritan, Ph.D., of the University of California, Irvine.
"Ridesharing services may complement traditional crime-reduction strategies by improving mobility and expanding employment opportunities." Crime on the Move? The Effect of Ridesharing Services on Crime, Economic Inquiry (2026). DOI: 10.1111/ecin.70087 BSc Life Sciences & Ecology.
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