OTSO is encouraging drivers to plan ahead for a safe ride home during Halloween celebrations. The division recently received a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in partnership with Lyft to offer $20 rideshare credits in the Central Ohio area. Beginning Oct. 25, drivers can claim a rideshare credit as an alternative to driving impaired by alcohol or drugs.
“Even a small amount of alcohol can affect someone’s driving ability, that’s why it’s so important to plan a sober ride before you have even one drink,” said Emily Davidson, Executive Director of OTSO. “We are grateful for this opportunity to give Ohioans a safe, affordable alternative to driving under the influence and protect communities from the dangers of drunk driving.”
Franklin County leads the state in OVI-related crashes from 2021-2023 with 4,061 crashes during this time period. That's why OTSO is introducing the program in Central Ohio as a pilot, before offering rideshare credits statewide in the near future.
The code for the rideshare credit is posted on otso.ohio.gov/lyft. A select number of rideshare credits are available. To claim the credit, Ohioans should open the Lyft app and choose “Payment” from the menu on the top left corner. Scroll to the “Add Lyft Pass” section and enter the code from OTSO’s website. The $20 credit will be applied to the user’s account and redeemed automatically during the eligible time. Credits will expire 24 hours after they are claimed within the Lyft app if they are not redeemed.
“Getting behind the wheel while impaired is one of the most dangerous things someone can do - but it's entirely preventable," said GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins. “GHSA and Lyft continue to partner to help highlight how impaired driving endangers all Ohioans on the road and provide incentives to make the responsible choice to hail a ride.”
Impaired driving is a preventable crime that puts everyone in danger:
- In Ohio, 56% of all motor vehicle deaths are OVI-related (Operating a Vehicle Impaired).
- In 2023, 725 people were killed in 672 drunk driving crashes – almost two people each day.
- From 2021 to 2023, there were eight deadly crashes in Ohio during Halloween night. Fifty percent involved a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs.
