More And More People Are Calling Uber Instead Of 911 Cause Ambulances Cost So Much, Dumb Or Smart?

Mashable- It may sound like a silly question, but a recent study revealed that ambulance usage is dropping in the United States, and researchers believe ride sharing services like Uber are to blame. A research paper released on Wednesday, showed the findings of David Slusky, a Department of Economics professor at University of Kansas, and Dr. Leon Moskatel of Scripps Mercy Hospital’s Department of Medicine. The two compared ambulance usage rates in 766 U.S. cities both before and after Uber was introduced (between 2013 to 2015). After reviewing all the data, the researchers concluded that Uber’s entry into cities reduced “per capital ambulance volume by at least seven percent.” How? Well, while you can’t be sure your Uber will come with the luxury of trained medical professionals, Slusky and Moskatel noted that ambulances costs — which sometimes reach the thousands of dollars — are extremely unattractive and are likely a driving factor in seeking alternate transportation. “They have to think about their health — and what it’s going to cost me,” Slusky told The Mercury News.

Hmmmmm I can’t decide if calling an Uber instead of 911 is the smartest or the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Let’s take a look at the positive and negatives of both.

On the one hand, Uber is for sure cheaper than an ambulance. No doubt about it. I made this up but I’m pretty sure an ambulance ride costs no less than $500,000. A ride to the hospital in an Uber would be like $35 depending where you are in relation to it. So that’s a point for Uber. A really big point. $800,000 is an insane amount just for a ride to the hospital. I recently said that I’m always hovering right around zero in terms of bank account. I said that any unexpected expense would be devastating and it’s true. So a 4 million dollar ambulance ride isn’t in the cards for me.

The one glaring problem I can see with calling an Uber instead of 911 is how fast you’ll get to hospital once you’re in the Uber. Let’s say you found yourself in the wrong neighborhood and get hit by some crossfire between local gang members. Hey, it happens. You now have a bullet wound. Ambulances are legally allowed to flip on their lights and rip through traffic. People are even obligated to pull off the side of the road and let you through. An Uber? You’re stopping at every red light as you bleed out in the back of the car. That’s a big time point for an ambulance. Unlike seemingly most people, I don’t wanna die. Like at all.

Dumb or not, sounds like a lot of people are doing it. Classic millennials.