Sober Ride Indiana offering discounts for St. Patrick’s Day holiday

With St. Patrick's Day celebrations coming up, people celebrating in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis can get a discount on a safe way home. 

St. Patrick's Day celebrations frequently feature themed cocktails and green pints. More alcohol is consumed on this holiday compared to other holidays. People are more likely to make poor decisions as a result, including driving while intoxicated. 

"Because St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year, we anticipate that alcohol consumption will increase on that day and throughout the weekend. We ask everyone to celebrate responsibly. That should begin before you go out to celebrate by deciding who will be your sober designated driver or whether you will use a ride-sharing service or taxi," said Devon McDonald, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute's Executive Director. 

Sober Ride Indiana is working to prevent impaired driving on St. Patrick's Day weekend by offering $10 off Uber and Lyft rides, with up to 1,000 redemptions available each day. Ride credits are available from March 15 through March 17.  

Ride credits can only be redeemed between the hours of 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. 

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) created Sober Ride Indiana in 2020 to combat impaired driving, particularly around high-risk holidays, and events. The program receives federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

With the help of programs like Sober Ride Indiana, the state has seen a decrease in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. New data shows that in 2023, ICJI reported 122 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, a 6% decrease year-over-year. This is a preliminary number that is subject to change. 

"While Indiana has seen a decrease in traffic fatalities, even one death caused by impaired driving is too many," said Jim Bryan, ICJI's Traffic Safety Director. "Don't turn a day of fun and enjoyment into a tragic and devastating time by driving while intoxicated. Have a sober driver take you home or use a cab or ride-sharing service to get home safely." 

To redeem a $10 ride credit, visit SoberRideIndiana.com. Click on "Redeem Ride Credits" and follow the instructions for the chosen ride service. Tips are not included in the discount, and users are responsible for any charges exceeding $10. Possession of the code does not guarantee the availability of the credit. 

Visit SoberRideIndiana.com to learn more about the program.