As one popular Christmas carol says, ‘tis the season to be jolly – and that can include holiday drinks. That makes drunk driving more prevalent, unfortunately, which also means a greater risk of being hit by a drunk driver. Obvious solutions include hailing a cab after you’ve personally consumed alcohol or using a designated driver. Budweiser is testing out another solution in select states, reports Huffington Post: partnering with Lyft, a ride service, to offer significantly discounted late-night rides home in states with some of the highest numbers of drunk-driving deaths.
The states are Colorado, Florida, Illinois and New York, and the companies involved will distribute $10 coupons for rides on weekends, for use between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Altogether, 5,000 coupons will be handed out for use through the end of 2016.
The two companies tried this strategy with success after select music festivals earlier in the year. Their goal is to reduce the number of drunk-driving deaths.
Although this program is not yet in effect in South Carolina, it may spread if it is successful. Closer to home, AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, partnered with Uber and MillerCoors over the Thanksgiving holiday to offer discounted ride homes in select areas – and it can be worth checking to see if they make a similar offer over upcoming holidays.
Increasing awareness of the dangers of drunk driving is causing more options to be available for safe rides home, but they are not available at all times, in all places.
Drunk Driving Fatalities
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014 alone, there were 9,967 people killed in driving crashes where alcohol was involved. This accounts for almost one in every three traffic-related deaths in the country.
South Carolina Wrongful Death Attorney
When the unthinkable happens, the last thing you’d be thinking about is contacting an attorney while evidence is still fresh, but prompt action is needed to prove liability and assess damages. There are two types of potential claims available: survival action on behalf of the deceased, where you are requesting compensation for medical bills, plus pain and suffering prior to death; and wrongful death claims for funeral costs, lost earning capacity and lost contributions to family life. The latter can be brought by the person’s spouse, dependent children or parents.
If you believe you have grounds for action, contact the wrongful death attorneys at our firm online. Let us investigate while you grieve.