Preparing to combat that time of year when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one-third of all U.S. traffic deaths are caused by drunk drivers, free Lyft rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area next Friday, March 17, 2017 (St. Patrick’s Day).

Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the 2017 St. Patty’s Day SoberRide program will be in operation beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) and continue until 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday.

During this 12-hour period, area residents celebrating with alcohol may download Lyft to their phones, then enter the code SOBERRIDE in the app's 'Promo' section to receive their no cost (up to $ 20) safe transportation home. The SoberRide code is valid for new and existing Lyft users.

Last year, 250 persons in the Washington-metropolitan area used WRAP’s St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program rather than possibly driving home impaired. The charity also offers its SoberRide program on Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, Halloween and the winter holidays this year starting on Dec. 15, 2017 and operating through and including New Year’s Eve.

Lyft will provide SoberRide trips throughout the Washington-metropolitan area to local residents age 21 and older who otherwise may have attempted to drive home after drinking.

SoberRide is offered throughout Lyft’s Washington, D.C. coverage area which includes all or parts of: the District of Columbia; the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s; and the Northern Virginia counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William.

More information about WRAP’s SoberRide initiative can be found at www.soberride.com.