More than half of Portugal’s Generation Z has used ride-hailing services (TVDE) to avoid driving after consuming alcohol, according to a survey by the Behavioural Insights Unit at the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, released on 21 October.
The study, conducted in partnership with the platform Bolt, found that 53% of this generation—those born between 1997 and 2012—state that using such ride-hailing services helps reduce drunk driving, while 76% believe these services help decrease incidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol.
Young people most value ride-hailing services to avoid driving after drinking and to get home after a night out.
The survey indicates that 68% of respondents consider it important to use these services to avoid driving under the influence, and 73% do so when returning from bars, restaurants, or events.
About a third also use these services when public transport is unavailable, or for trips to and from airports, according to the survey, conducted in June of this year among 1,000 Portuguese residents aged 18 to 29.
“Ride-hailing services play an important role in improving road safety in Portuguese cities by offering an accessible alternative to those who should not be driving,” explained Mário de Morais, Bolt’s General Manager in Portugal.
The official acknowledged that the service is “especially relevant for today’s young adults, who expect mobility to be convenient and, above all, safe.” He emphasised that it is “encouraging” to see that many recognise the service’s role in helping people “make safer decisions—whether that means avoiding driving after consuming alcohol or ensuring that friends and family get home safely.”
“We want ride-hailing services to continue being a safe and reliable alternative for those travelling within Portuguese cities, and we will keep investing in features that strengthen that trust,” added Mário de Morais.
The survey also revealed that ride-hailing services are used to ensure the safety of others; more than half of the respondents (55%) acknowledged frequently using the service to book trips for friends or family members “to ensure they get home safely, rather than driving themselves.”
Technology also plays a significant role in building trust between young adults and this urban mobility service. Respondents most value real-time GPS tracking (74%), trip sharing (62%), driver ratings (57%), and driver identity verification (54%).
Portuguese youth change of habits
This is not the first time Portuguese youth have shifted their approach to driving. According to a study released in September this year by the Behavioural Insights Unit at the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, in partnership with Bolt, Generation Z in Portugal is increasingly moving away from buying cars.
Instead, young people in Portugal are increasingly opting for ride-hailing services (TVDE) to gain independence in their travel. They are also increasingly relying on public transport, which, according to survey respondents, offers greater financial flexibility by eliminating the costs of purchasing and maintaining a personal vehicle. While not all young people have ruled out owning a car, attitudes clearly differ from those of previous generations.