The holiday season is nearly upon us, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) would like to remind Washingtonians to plan ahead and use alternative transportation after drinking alcohol or using marijuana during celebrations.
This year, WTSC is partnering with Uber to help end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030 as part of the Target Zero initiative.
Bars and restaurants across the state will be featuring anti-DUI materials and encouraging patrons to take a safe ride home. In areas where Uber is available, the company will also be offering riders $20 off their first trip as part of the effort, with the promo code RIDESAFEWA.
Additionally, Uber has recently launched UberEVENTS, which will enable companies to arrange safe rides for their employees throughout the holiday party season and beyond.
Preliminary Fatality Analysis Reporting (FARS) data shows more than 500 traffic deaths so far in 2015 in Washington, nearly 100 more reported deaths than this time last year, according to a WTSC media release.
“We have seen an unfortunate increase in traffic deaths this year,” said Darrin Grondel, WTSC director, in a media release. “By encouraging people to plan ahead over the holiday party season, and to ensure a sober ride home, we hope our state will experience zero traffic deaths in December and through the New Year.”
“We’re committed to providing safe, reliable transportation for Washingtonians year-round, and we’re proud to join forces with WTSC to help prevent traffic casualties this holiday season,” said Brooke Steger, general manager of Uber Washington. “We want to make it easy for people to leave their keys at home and also give them the peace of mind that they’re not putting others at risk.”
Extra DUI enforcement patrols statewide began Nov. 26 and will end Jan. 1.
Participating agencies in King County include the Algona, Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Clyde Hill, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Pacific, Port of Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Snoqualmie, and Tukwila Police Departments, the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the Washington State Patrol will be teaming up and participating in the extra patrols, with the support of the King County Target Zero Task Force.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission embraces Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit targetzero.com.
