Free Greenbacks for Safe Rides On St. Patrick’s Day

Safe Ride KY Offers $20 Discounts For Safe Rides To Prevent Impaired Driving

For Immediate Release – March 15, 2018

FRANKFORT, Ky – Following its success during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Safe Ride KY coalition today announced that it is offering Kentuckians $20,000 worth of discounted rides during St. Patrick’s Day to prevent impaired driving.

Individuals can claim $20 in free ride credits by entering code SAFERIDEKY2018 in the Lyft or CityScoot apps and ordering a ride between midnight on Saturday, March 17, and 4 a.m. Sunday, March 18, where services are available and while supplies last.

“St. Patrick’s Day celebrations typically involve libations and can get a little rowdy,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “We want everyone to have a good time and celebrate their Irish American heritage, but responsibly and in moderation. Let Lyft or CityScoot do the driving for you, and we’ll help with the green.”

The Safe Ride KY coalition is led by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and joined by the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of KY, Independent Stave Company, Buzick Construction, and District 8 Louisville Councilman Brandon Coan.

More information is available online at www.saferideky.com.

This is the second holiday in the group’s safe ride campaign, titled “This one’s on us” and produced by Red7e in Louisville. Messaging will be promoted to consumers of legal drinking age online and in bars, liquor stores and other retail environments where beverage alcohol is sold.

The group previously offered $10,000 and delivered over 700 safe rides during Kentucky’s winter holiday season. The campaign’s success attracted attention from Offices of Highway Safety across the nation.

“Kentucky is not only home to some of the world’s best alcohol brands, it’s home to leading alcohol responsibility efforts, too,” KDA Director of Social Responsibility Ali Edelstein said. “Together, our coalition highlights how state governments can partner with businesses to solve complex challenges, like drunk driving.”

The campaign’s success also earned the group a matching $10,000 donation from the nation’s fastest growing on-demand ride service, Lyft – doubling Safe Ride KY’s reach.

“We’ve joined forces with the KDA to expand Lyft’s presence in Kentucky for more than a year now,” Lyft Marketing Lead Chris Kaltreider said. “We’ve been impressed with the progress this partnership has made. As Lyft’s safe ride strategy grows nationally, it makes sense to invest in this local campaign.”

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and Louisville Metro Police Department also are continuing their commitment to promoting the campaign as an effective complement to their Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over efforts in the coming year.

“While our office promotes the Drive Sober message year-round, we increase awareness during holidays that tend to see an increase in alcohol consumption,” KOHS Executive Director Dr. Noelle Hunter said. “Drunken driving-related crashes are 100 percent preventable, so we’re asking motorists to be responsible and plan a ride before the celebration begins.”

CityScoot, Louisville’s on-demand designated driver company, is also pleased to continue their participation as an alternative to Lyft’s service in Louisville.

“We know refusal to leave the car behind is one of the top challenges in preventing impaired driving,” said Mark Roberts, founder and co-owner of CityScoot. “We’re here to provide a ride home to patrons in their own vehicle – no excuses, no questions asked.”

With so many safe and affordable options, Safe Ride KY partners hope no one will drive impaired this St. Patrick’s Day.

Retailers who would like to receive materials to promote the free safe ride code, or groups that would like to sponsor the coalition, should contact Edelstein at [email protected]. “We’re always looking for new partners to join us and expand this critical initiative,” she said.

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For more information, contact Ali Edelstein at (502) 424-5841

About the KDA:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the historic voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces 90 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft and treasured economic engine. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT™, and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please savor our Bourbon and distilled spirits like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.

About Safe Ride KY:

Safe Ride KY is a coalition of public, private, and non-profit entities committed to ending impaired driving in Kentucky. It is led by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and its members and supported by the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky, Independent Stave Company, Buzick Construction, and District 8 Louisville Councilman Brandon Coan. Safe Ride KY believes that complementing the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety’s education and enforcement efforts with fully-funded safe ride initiatives can empower individuals to make good choices and yield results, particularly during high traffic times like holidays. Visit www.saferideky.com or partner websites for its campaign’s full terms and conditions.