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In an effort to combat drinking and driving, the city of Columbus, Ohio has partnered with Lyft and Anheuser-Busch to create a safe rides and law enforcement program.
According to Zachary Keizer, a Lyft consumer communications specialist, the objective of this program is to “raise awareness and change behavior around the issue of drunk driving in Columbus.” Keizer said Anheuser-Busch and Lyft will provide up to 2,000 Lyft rides each weekend from now through December 2017, with the hoping of ensuring that people in Columbus get to and from their destinations safely.
Sgt. Rich Weiner, a Columbus Division of Police spokesman, said that the target of the program is the OSU football games, fall weekends, and several other high-risk fall holidays.
The Lantern reports that of all the fatal crashes in Columbus, about 60% are due to drunk driving, adding that the statistic is “significant regarding both loss of life and the costs.”
“Everyone deserves a designated driver and by giving riders in Columbus access to free rides each week, we hope everyone will think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking, and look to Lyft as a safe way to get home from a night out.”
Kizer says that Anheuser-Busch will share a ride code on its Facebook and Instagram channels. The code is available for use by those older than 21 years old to claim a $30 Lyft Ride credit (two $15 one-way rides) to use that weekend.
