MARYLAND, USA — In an effort to keep everyone safe over the holiday season, Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office has teamed up with Lyft to provide rideshare credits.
MDOT MVA says they have received a $20,000 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association, which has allowed them to do this. The grant will offer $20 rideshare credits, through the partnership with Lyft and Responsibility.org, and encourage Marylanders to be the "Make A Plan Driver" by choosing an alternative to driving impaired from alcohol or drugs.
“We are once again making the choice easier than ever to make a plan and take a sober ride home,” said Chrissy Nizer, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator and Gov. Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “Holidays are meant to cherish friends and family, and no one should lose a loved one due to a driver’s selfish decision to drive impaired.”
The credits will be available starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and will continue through the holiday season while supplies last. The codes to access the credits will be available on ZeroDeathsMD.gov/Rideshare at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and will expire 24 hours after being added to a rider’s wallet if the credit is not redeemed. Marylanders are limited to one $20 rideshare credit and are encouraged to check back periodically to see if additional credits have become available.
To redeem the $20 credit, Marylanders can open the Lyft app, choose payment from the menu, and scroll to the Lyft Pass section to input the code.
Last year, 146 people died and more than 2,500 were injured on Maryland roadways in crashes involving impaired driving, according to MDOT MVA. Additionally, in 2022 in Maryland, more than 14,859 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs — 1,598 of those occurred between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
“The holiday season should be filled with joyous reunions, not tragedy," said Jonathan Adkins, CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association.Sadly, too many families have been shattered by the consequences of someone deciding to drive impaired."
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