OTSO Partners with Lyft to Offer Rideshare Credits and Ensure Safe Travel During Thanksgiving Holiday

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is encouraging drivers to plan ahead for a safe ride home during the week of Thanksgiving. OTSO recently received a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in partnership with Lyft to offer $20 rideshare credits across the state. Beginning today, drivers can claim a rideshare credit as an alternative to driving impaired by alcohol or drugs.

This statewide rideshare program is being launched as many Ohioans make plans to kick off Thanksgiving on the night before the holiday, which is typically one of the most popular days during the year for alcohol consumption.

“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.”

Rideshare credits are expected to be available through the holiday weekend during Ohio State’s rivalry football game against Michigan in Columbus.

OTSO wants drivers to plan ahead for all celebrations with safety in mind. The code for the rideshare credit will be posted on otso.ohio.gov/lyft on Nov. 25. A limited number of rideshare credits are available each day.

To claim a 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.
• It’s important to note that users have 24 hours to take their ride after adding the code to their Lyft app. Credits will expire within the Lyft app if they are not redeemed within that time period. Unused credits will go back into the system to be claimed again the next day.

“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.

Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 13 people were killed in 12 fatal crashes on Ohio’s roadways. Almost half of those crashes involved a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs.