Free Lyft Rides To Begin For Christmas, New Year's In DC Region

WASHINGTON, DC — The winter holiday season is traditionally a higher risk time for drunk driving on roads in the DC region and across the U.S. This year, the SoberRide program offering free Lyft rides to keep would-be drunk drivers off the roads will kick off on Friday, Dec. 17.

The nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program holds the SoberRide in partnership with Lyft during the winter holiday season as well as St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day and Halloween, other high-risk holidays for drunk driving. Based on 2019 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over one third of U.S. traffic deaths around Christmas and New Year's involve drunk drivers.

The 2021 winter holiday program will happen nightly between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1. Riders 21 and older can use the Lyft app and enter the SoberRide code into the promo section to receive a credit up to $15 for a ride. Riders pay the cost beyond the $15. Different promo codes will be shared each week at 9 p.m. on Dec. 17, 24 and 31.

The credit can be used for a ride in Lyft's DC region coverage area. This includes all of Washington, DC, Arlington County, Fairfax County, City of Alexandria; City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, and Prince George's County; as well as parts of Montgomery County, Loudoun County and Prince William County.

"Lyft is dedicated to providing access to reliable and responsible rides, and we’re proud to partner with programs like WRAP to offer Lyft as an alternative to impaired driving," stated Kamillah Wood, director of public policy for community safety at Lyft. "Through our Roadway Safety Program and our partnerships with the public, we hope to empower our community with the tools to protect themselves and those around them this holiday season."

WRAP's SoberRide program has provided 81,184 rides as an alternative for would-be impaired drivers since 1991 in the greater DC region. During the last full campaign in 2019, 1,121 people used the SoberRide program during the winter holidays.

Check back for the promo code as the program begins Dec. 17 at www.SoberRide.com.