Police say ridesharing programs helped reduce impaired driving on St. Patrick’s Day weekend

The Jefferson City Police Department worked to keep impaired drivers off the roads on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Officer Charlie St. Onge said this holiday weekend was fairly quiet compared to past years. He said ridesharing apps have helped prevent impaired driving.

“I feel like as a city, we have seen a big decline in drinking and driving with Ubers and Lyfts,” he said.

St. Onge said Uber and Lyft offer fast and convenient options for people to get a safe ride home.

“It cuts down on the response time because taxis can take an hour to an hour and a half to get somewhere,” he said. “If you contact an Uber, it’s a 10-minute wait.”

JCPD increased its DWI saturation patrols March 14-18 for the holiday weekend and has made two DWI arrests.

St. Onge said the department had a couple officers on foot patrol in downtown Jefferson City.

“I think that helps with keeping people a little more quiet,” he said.

Missouri had 200 DWI arrests statewide on St. Patrick’s Day weekend last year, according to the Jefferson City Police Department.

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