Free Lyft Rides On St. Paddy's Day For Would-Be Drunk Drivers

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — People participating in St. Patrick's Day festivities can receive a free Lyft ride home, thanks to a program from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP). From 4 p.m. on Wednesday to 2 a.m. on Thursday, WRAP's SoberRide program will provide free rides to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers, according to a news release from WRAP.

WRAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending impaired driving in the Washington, D.C. area. Though, due to the pandemic, St. Patrick's Day celebrations would be safer at home, WRAP's SoberRide program is being offered as a safety net for those who will go out.

Kurt Erickson is the president of WRAP. "We urge all Greater Washington area residents to respect public health restrictions this St. Patrick’s Day," Erickson said in a news release. "However, if persons do venture out and alcohol is involved, we are all benefited from the safety net role which the region’s SoberRide program plays to remove drunk drivers from area roadways."

To participate in the program, residents can enter SoberRide's promo code when ordering their Lyft to receive a free ride, worth up to $15. The SoberRide promo code will be posted on their website at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Geoff Berman is Lyft's national east region manager. "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," Berman said. "Particularly during times of the year when people are out celebrating and in need of a ride home."

Since its inception, the SoberRide program has provided free rides for more than 80,000 people in the D.C. area.