El Dorado County and Lyft team up to keep people safe this holiday season

The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office has teamed up with Lyft, just as other Sacramento and Sierra area community, to keep people on the road safer during the holiday season. Drivers are encouraged to use safe rides to reduce impaired driving and help keep El Dorado County and the surrounding areas safe.

This groundbreaking effort is the first law enforcement agency private ride share partnership in California. This innovative campaign is just the latest part of the DA's office efforts to combat drunk driving in El Dorado County.  Last month, the Vern Pierson, the EL Dorado County District Attorney, secured a vital grant from the Office of Traffic Safety that will fund a vertically integrated anti‐DUI task force. 

Impaired driving remains a serious problem throughout the state and in El Dorado County, which was fourth worse in total fatal and ijnury collision in 2015. In California, there were 17,390 injury collisions involving alcohol in 2015 alone.  That same year, there were 122 alcohol-involved injuries or fatalities in EL Dorado County.

Between December 14th and January 1st, Lyft will provide discounted rides in the greater Sacramento area, including El Dorado and Placer County.  New users can enter the code RIDESAFE2018 in the app for $5 off their first 10 rides, and existing users can claim 10 percent off 2 rides with code RIDESAFECA. 
  
"Thanks to the ever evolving and innovative methods of ride sharing in today's highigh‐tech world, there is no excuse for impaired driving," said Pierson. "My office is committed not only to protecting the public by aggressively prosecuting those who drink and drive, but also to help prevent the devastating impact of these crimes by encouraging use of new emerging tech applications. This holiday season, please reply on a designated driver, Lyft, or any available alternative to get you home safely this holiday season."

“DUIs are completely avoidable,” said Lyft Northern California Market Manager David Kunst. “We want Sacramento residents to celebrate responsibly during the holiday season and choose Lyft for a safe transportation option home at the end of the night.”