Safe Ride Ky Coalition Delivers 885 Rides On St. Patrick’s Day

March 21, 2018

For immediate release – March 21, 2018

 

FRANKFORT, Ky – The Safe Ride KY coalition kept 885 potentially impaired drivers off Kentucky roadways during St. Patrick’s Day, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association reported today.

Combined with results from the coalition’s 2017 Christmas and New Year’s Eve campaign, the group has now delivered 1,593 safe rides and recruited 158 new Lyft and CityScoot users.

“Safe Ride KY is clearly making a difference and changing people’s attitudes towards drunk driving,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “More consumers are planning ahead and making the intentional choice to not drink and drive. It’s the right thing to do, and we’re proud of the results.”

The KDA launched the campaign and coalition of public, private and non-profit entities last year as part of its increased commitment to end impaired driving.

The campaign – titled “This one’s on us”– supports the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program and the Louisville Metro Police Department’s education and enforcement efforts during key holidays.

The group committed $20,000 worth of discounted safe rides through Lyft and CityScoot on St. Patrick’s Day using the code “SAFERIDEKY2018.”

In a 28-hour period, Lyft delivered 842 rides throughout the state, and CityScoot transported 43 riders in its Louisville service area. That means the campaign removed at least 36 potentially impaired drivers from Kentucky roadways per hour.

Noelle Hunter, Executive Director of Kentucky’s Office of Highway Safety said, “We appreciate the teamwork behind Safe Ride KY’s effort to complement our ongoing activities to reduce impaired driving. It’s a strategy that works and a partnership we’re pleased to continue.”

Kentuckians can expect to receive more safe rides as the coalition renews its campaign alongside Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over during Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, and the winter holiday season this year.

Financial support comes from the KDA, the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky, Buzick Construction, Independent Stave Company, Lyft, Louisville Councilman Brandon Coan and MML&K.

The coalition continues to seek additional partners to help fund and grow the program, said Ali Edelstein, the KDA’s Director of Social Responsibility.

Interested individuals and organizations can visit www.saferideky.com to learn more.

“This was a great team effort,” Edelstein said. “We are stronger by working together, which is increasingly important because no one can end impaired driving in Kentucky alone.”

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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.

Enjoy Like a True Kentuckian: Responsibly
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