CDOT & Uber provide $15 ride credits to prevent impaired driving; Heat Is On Campaign

Be the Ultimate Party Host, says CDOT

Colorado — In December, the Colorado Department of Transportation is teaming up with Uber to provide $10,000 in ride credits valued at $15 as part of a promotion to reduce impaired driving in the state. The Governor’s Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) is launching the program in five states, including Colorado. The campaign is part of a grant CDOT received from the GHSA to help reduce impaired driving. 

During the Thanksgiving holiday period, 11 people were killed on Colorado roads. Not since 2008 have that many people been killed on Colorado roads over Thanksgiving. Most of those fatal crashes involved drugs or alcohol, according to preliminary data. 

FACTS:===============
From Dec. 1 – Jan. 3, 2022, Coloradans can redeem the $15 ride credit using the code “HOLIDAYSAFE” in the Promotions section of the Uber app. The ride credits, available statewide, are limited to one use per person and valid only while supplies last. The credits must be redeemed from 5 p.m. – 5 a.m. Click here to apply the credit directly to the Uber app from a mobile device.
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To date in 2021, there have been 220 impaired-driving fatalities in Colorado, accounting for 36% of all traffic deaths this year. If current trends continue, 2021 will be the deadliest year on Colorado roads since 2004. To date, there have been 617 fatalities, which is 6% higher than this time last year. Fatalities involving an impaired driver are up 15% from last year.

Though anyone can use the discount to stay safe, CDOT is specifically marketing the offer to people who are hosting holiday parties. Called the “Ultimate Party Host” campaign, the promotion aims to prevent impaired driving by offering a solution — free sober rides to or from holiday gatherings. CDOT will also host pop-up events at Argonaut Wine & Liquor in Denver and Springs Liquor Outlet in Colorado Springs. Store patrons who plan to host holiday parties have the opportunity to receive Uber ride credits for their guests.  

CDOT will promote the campaign on social media and other channels to further provide the free ride credits on a first-come, first-served basis to Coloradans statewide. For additional information about the campaign and using the ride credit code “HOLIDAYSAFE,” visit HeatIsOnColorado.com.

==========THE HEAT IS ON Campaign
With December marking National Impaired Driving Prevention month, drivers are asked to never get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol, cannabis and other prescription drugs.

There have been 15,040 DUI arrests so far this year in Colorado. On average, 20,000 people are arrested for impaired driving across Colorado annually — an average of 55 DUIs every day. CDOT continues to hold impaired driving prevention as a high priority statewide to help push towards zero deaths on Colorado roadways. 

As part of The Heat Is On campaign, heightened DUI enforcement will occur from Dec. 15 through 29 to help remove impaired drivers from roadways during the holidays. The New Year’s Eve enforcement period will follow from Dec. 30 – Jan. 2.

ABOUT THE HEAT IS ON
The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement.