Lyft Offers Free Thanksgiving Rides To Curb Texas Drunk Driving

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The ride sharing firm Lyft is offering $50,000 worth of free rides across the state in an effort to help curb drunk driving, officials said.

Thanksgiving is one of the heaviest drinking days of the year as people celebrate the kickoff to the holiday season. Last year, Lyft saw a 35 percent increase in late-night rides the night before the holiday — dubbed "Blackout Wednesday" given the higher incidences of intoxication.

With AAA predicting the highest volume of Thanksgiving travelers in a dozen years — including 4.1 million Texans traveling 50 miles or more — Lyft is stepping in to help Austin residents celebrate responsibly with free rides.

"Data show that Texas tops the list as the number one deadliest state in the country for Thanksgiving travel, and nearly 30 percent of the increase in accidents are alcohol-related,” Aaron Fox, general manager for Lyft Austin, said in a prepared statement. “Lyft is activating our Ride Smart TX program this Thanksgiving to help combat these statistics and encourage responsible choices as Austinites partake in festivities with friends and family.”

The free rides are part of Lyft’s commitment to reduce drinking and driving through its Ride Smart TX program, Lyft officials explained in a press advisory. Customers can claim their free Lyft ride (up to $10 discount) HERE or by applying RIDESMARTTHANKS in the Lyft app (offer valid Thursday, Nov. 22 through Friday, Nov. 23 at 2 a.m.).

For further details on the Ride Smart TX program and Thanksgiving, Lyft’s blog post is accessible HERE. Additionally, the following individuals are available for interviews, and quotes attributable to each are included below.

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