Free Lyft Rides In Prince George's County During 2019 Holidays

BOWIE, MD — The holidays are a time for friends, family, and loved ones. But if you plan on celebrating with some alcohol, don't get behind the wheel. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, taxi, or a ride-sharing service to get you home.

The nonprofit organization Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will again partner with Lyft, the popular ride-sharing company, to provide a SoberRide service to the D.C. metro area during the holiday season.

"Last December, nearly 2,000 (1,988) persons in the Washington-metropolitan area used WRAP's Holiday SoberRide program rather than possibly driving home impaired," WRAP said in a statement.

Rides will be available from Friday, Dec. 20 until Wednesday, Jan. 1 — between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. SoberRide will be offered throughout Lyft's Washington, D.C. coverage area, which includes all or parts of Prince George's and Montgomery counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties in Virginia, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park; and the District.

Residents 21 and older can enter the SoberRide promo code in the Lyft app to receive a $15 credit. The offer is good for all Lyft users. Promo codes will be posted at 9 p.m. on Dec. 20, 27, and 31 on www.SoberRide.com.

"Lyft is proud of the role ridesharing has played in reducing impaired driving across the nation. Here in the DC area, partnering with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program allows us to take our commitment to providing reliable, convenient, and responsible transportation a step further, particularly during times of the year when people are out celebrating and in need of a ride home," said Steve Taylor, Lyft's regional director for Washington, D.C.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 285 drunk-driving-related fatalities during the 2018 New Year's and Christmas periods.

"These deaths are 100% preventable," the NHTSA said.

Sober Ride says it has provided 78,926 free safe rides home to would-be drunk drivers in the Greater Washington area since 1991. The program is also offered on St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, and Halloween.