Uber partners with state to offer safe ride homes

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.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Monday, December 7, 2015 3:28pm
  • News
Uber has teamed with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to give people who have been drinking a safe ride home.

Uber has teamed with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to give people who have been drinking a safe ride home.

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.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent firefighters fight three fires in three days | Photos

Puget Sound Fire responds June 10-12 to camper, house and apartment fires; no injuries

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Man receives 10-year sentence for Kent parking lot killing

Fatally shot man in 2023 after he approached vehicle with baseball bat as part of ongoing feud

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: May 26 to June 8

Incidents include domestic violence, store robbery, vehicle pursuit, copper wire theft

Washington State STEM Signing Day 2025 honorees in a group photo at a celebration event on June 6, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton. Courtesy photo.
Select Kent seniors, grads honored on STEM Signing Day

Two Kentridge High students, one Kent-Meridian student receive recognition

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man’s death in Kent warehouse ruled a homicide

Kent Police Department is under investigation.

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police arrest 2 suspects in 2024 murder of Kent-Meridian student

Auburn man, Auburn juvenile under investigation in shooting of 18-year-old Cristopher Zelaya

t
Federal Way woman, 61, killed in Kent hit-and-run crash on I-5

State Patrol has a suspect in June 9 crash and are asking that he turn himself in

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Kent mother pleads guilty to fentanyl death of 3-year-old daughter

Enters plea to second-degree manslaughter after child ingested drug in 2022 at Kent apartment

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, U.S. Department of Justice
Ex-Kent woman sentenced in 2nd fraud case stealing from employer

Christin Guillory, 41, stole money from new employer while awaiting sentencing for stealing from past employer

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man fatally shot in Kent at his 21st birthday party | Update

Medical examiner identifies Federal Way killed in early Saturday morning, June 7 shooting on West Hill

Owen Unger. COURTESY PHOTO
Kentridge High’s Owen Unger wins National Merit Scholarship

Plans to pursue mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas

This insignia will be on King County Park Rangers’ uniforms, vehicles, and mountain bikes. Inage courtesy King County
New King county park rangers to begin patrolling Saturday

Council members hope the increased presence of officials will deter break-ins at trailheads.