INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – With the Big Ten tournament, St. Patrick’s Day and NCAA tournament happening this month, people celebrating in Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis can score a free or discounted ride to secure a safe way home.
For the second year in a row, Sober Ride Indiana is working to prevent impaired driving in March by offering $15 off Uber and Lyft rides up to 2,000 redemptions (per city). Ride credits are only available between the hours of 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. on the following days:
- Big Ten tournament: March 10-13
- Patrick’s Day/weekend: March 17-19
- NCAA tournament: March 19 – April 5
“Somebody who is driving under the influence isn’t just a danger to themselves, they’re a risk to everyone on the road,” said Devon McDonald, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director. “Using a ride service is already cheaper than getting an OWI and going to jail. With Sober Ride Indiana, it’s essentially free.”
Sober Ride Indiana was created by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute in 2020 to cut down on impaired driving—specifically around high-risk holidays and events. The program is federally funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and so far, more than 9,500 ride credits have been redeemed.
Despite the program’s efforts, impaired driving continues to be a pervasive problem on Indiana roads. On average, 1 out of every 4 traffic fatalities in the state is caused by someone over the legal limit, according to ICJI.
“Drinking affects your judgment and the ability to make rational decisions,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “We’re not telling people they can’t go out and have a good time, but we are asking those who plan on drinking to be safe and make arrangements beforehand.”
To redeem a $15 ride credit, visit SoberRideIndiana.com. Click on “Redeem Ride Credits” and follow the instructions for the ride service being used.
Before booking a sober ride, customers are encouraged to review and follow any COVID-specific requirements designated by Uber and Lyft. Tips are not included, and users are financially responsible for anything over $15. Possession of the code does not necessarily guarantee availability of the credit.
Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis were selected based on crash data and the prevalence of impaired driving.
Visit SoberRideIndiana.com to learn more about the program.
