Who says there’s no such thing as a free ride? Working with the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, SafeRideKY.org and their partners, Lyft is offering free rides this New Years Eve.
It Takes a Tribe to Make it Work
Granted, this offer is only good in Kentucky but it is something other state spirit associations and guilds can learn from.
The Safe Ride KY coalition is offering $10,000 worth of free rides over the upcoming holidays to complement DUI enforcement efforts and prevent impaired driving on Kentucky roadways.
Individuals can claim $10 in ride credits by downloading the Lyft app on their phones, entering promo code SAFERIDEKY2020 and order a ride home.
The program started Friday, December 20 at 5 p.m. and runs through Wednesday, January 1 at 5 a.m. – wherever Lyft is available in Kentucky, while supplies last.
I think this little image from the Community Policing Facebook page sums it up best.
Average DUI: $10,000 | Average Funeral: $7,500
Average Uber or Lyft Ride: $12 | Don’t Be An Idiot Tonight
Safe Ride Kentucky
Since its founding in 2017, the non-profit Safe Ride KY coalition has been providing sober rides during high-traffic holidays throughout the year. Messaging is promoted to consumers of legal drinking age online and in bars, liquor stores and other retail environments where beverage alcohol is sold.
“We are proud to lead the coalition in offering discounted safe rides this holiday season for the third consecutive year,” Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory said. “We encourage all who will be venturing out to celebrate to do so responsibly and plan your transportation ahead of time.”
The group offers ride year round during major holidays. So far they’ve delivered nearly 9,000 safe rides during the Christmas, New Year’s, St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving holidays.
This particular offer is only valid in Kentucky but is something other distilled spirits associations and guilds can work on for the next round of major holidays. The campaign’s success has attracted attention from Offices of Highway Safety in other states across the nation.
“Safe Ride KY’s holiday campaigns continue to have real impact on reducing the number of impaired driving incidents across the Commonwealth,” Gregory said. “It’s a program that produces results by allowing people to plan ahead to celebrate responsibly and get home safely.”
The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, part of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Louisville Metro Police Department remain dedicated to promoting the campaign as an effective complement to their Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over efforts in the coming year.
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Kentucky DUI Convictions Have Dropped in Last 5 Years
DUI convictions have decreased steadily over the past five years in Kentucky, dropping from 21,785 in 2014 to 18,567 last year, according to Kentucky State Police data. In Jefferson County, that number was 2,331 in 2014 to a low of 1,447 in 2018.
“We’re proud to support this collaborative Safe Ride KY initiative to make it easier for motorists to make the right choice this holiday season by planning a safe ride home,” Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said. “This pairs well with our current Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to encourage responsible driving and avoid preventable tragedies.”
Josh Hafer of Heaven Hill Distillery, who serves as Chairman of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Responsibility Advisory Group, said, “Responsibility is a year-round effort for all members of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. It is embedded in our marketing, guest services and promotion. Offering Safe Rides is a recognizable extension of that effort.”
With so many safe and affordable options, Safe Ride KY partners hope no one will drive impaired this holiday season and that revelers make it memorable by imbibing responsibly.
Cheers to a safe holiday season!
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