The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has teamed up with Lyft to address drunk and drug-impaired driving through two new state outreach programs. With $40,000 in grants, GHSA and Lyft are encouraging Ohioans to choose ride-hailing over driving impaired, especially during the fall and holiday season. These grants fund campaigns that urge people to leave driving to someone sober when they've consumed alcohol or other substances.
Impaired driving car accidents spike around high-traffic holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. The night before Thanksgiving, known as “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving,” also sees a sharp rise in alcohol consumption and, consequently, increased impaired driving crashes. With drunk driving fatalities increasing by 33% between 2019 and 2022, GHSA and Lyft are focusing on offering safe alternatives during these risky times.
How do ride-hailing services help prevent impaired driving?
Studies consistently show that ride-hailing options lead to fewer drunk driving incidents. A recent 2023 study in Boston, Worcester, and Northampton, Massachusetts, revealed DUI arrests dropped by as much as 53% after the introduction of ride-hailing services.
Other cities, such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago, have reported similar results, with reductions in drunk driving rates attributed to the availability of ride-hailing. GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins calls ride-hailing a “key part of the solution” to prevent impaired driving, making it easier and safer for people to find a sober ride home. "GHSA and Lyft remain committed to providing an easy alternative to getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs, making our roads safer for everyone," said Adkins.
What are Ohio’s impaired driving prevention initiatives?
Ohio’s campaigns align with the state’s biggest fall events. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office provided ride-hailing credits during Columbus’s HighBall Halloween, one of the nation’s largest costume parties. This initiative promotes Lyft as a safe option for partygoers who might otherwise drive under the influence. Ohio plans a Thanksgiving campaign targeting Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. This urges drivers to choose a sober ride during this high-risk holiday.
Why is Lyft invested in impaired driving prevention?
Lyft’s involvement in these initiatives aligns with the company’s mission to enhance road safety by reducing impaired driving collisions. Heather Foster, Lyft’s Head of Global Public Policy, sheds light on the importance of such partnerships, especially as internal data shows that 59% of Lyft users choose the service when planning to drink or use other impairing substances. Lyft’s partnership with GHSA reflects a shared commitment to promoting safe transportation alternatives that ultimately help save lives.
How does alcohol impaired driving lead to car accidents?
Alcohol impairs functions needed for safe driving and has led to 13,524 traffic fatalities in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Ohio, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above. Even lower BAC levels can affect driving ability. In fact, over 2,300 people died in 2022 in crashes involving drivers with BACs between 0.01 and 0.07.
Here is the impact each BAC level has on driving:
0.02 g/dL
- Effects: Slight loss of judgment, feeling of relaxation, mild mood changes.
- Driving impact: Decline in visual tracking and ability to perform tasks simultaneously.
0.05 g/dL
- Effects: Exaggerated behavior, minor muscle control loss (e.g., eye focus), lowered alertness, impaired judgment.
- Driving impact: Reduced coordination, tracking issues, steering difficulty, slower emergency responses.
0.08 g/dL
- Effects: Poor muscle coordination (balance, speech, vision), impaired judgment and memory, slower reaction times.
- Driving impact: Reduced concentration, short-term memory loss, impaired speed control, slower information processing.
0.10 g/dL
- Effects: Slurred speech, poor coordination, slower thinking, reaction time deteriorates.
- Driving impact: Difficulty maintaining lane position, poor braking control.
0.15 g/dL
- Effects: Major balance loss, potential for vomiting, severe muscle control loss.
- Driving impact: Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving, and processing of visual and auditory cues.
Our attorneys are here to protect your rights every step of the way
If you or a loved one was hurt in a drunk driving accident in Ohio, it’s time to fight for the compensation you deserve. In Cleveland, the Ohio drunk driving accident lawyers at Merriman Legal, LLC, know the toll these crashes can take, both financially and emotionally. We’ve helped clients across Northeast Ohio obtain justice in cases like yours.
Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case. And if the insurers don’t cooperate, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court to secure the outcome you deserve. We’ll listen to your story, review the evidence, and guide you through the next steps during a free consultation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building a strong case for you.
Contact us online or call our office in Cleveland today for a free consultation.
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