For Immediate Release – March 15, 2019

FRANKFORT, Ky – The Safe Ride KY coalition today announced that it is offering Kentuckians $20,000 worth of Lyft discounts to prevent impaired driving during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Individuals can claim $20 in free ride credits by entering code SAFERIDEKY2019 in the Lyft app and ordering a ride between 10 a.m. on Friday, March 15, and 5 a.m. Monday, March 18.

Since its founding in December 2017, the coalition has delivered 6,591 safe rides over major holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The group was launched by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, but has since grown into its own non-profit organization with sponsors including the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, Becker Law Office, the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of KY, AAA, and Lyft.

“Our goal is to change behaviors by encouraging people to plan ahead and make safe rides a regular part of their celebrations,” KDA President Eric Gregory said.

More information is available online at www.saferideky.com.

Last year, Safe Ride KY delivered 885 sober rides during its St. Patrick’s Day weekend campaign. The group hopes to top that number this year.

“People who take safe rides make a conscious decision to avoid impaired driving,” said Jason Siwula, Executive Director of Kentucky’s Office of Highway Safety. “That’s the positive behavior we want to see.”

According to state data, 24,576 individuals were convicted of a DUI in 2017. Those drivers caused 5,350 collisions, killed 154 people, and injured 2,781 more.

“The lawyers in our office see the tragic results of DUI related wrecks all the time,” says Gregory Bubalo, Managing Partner at Becker Law Office, which joined the campaign this year as a top sponsor.

“Safe Ride KY reminds everyone how easily these wrecks can be avoided, just by riding home at the end of the night with Lyft.”

With so many safe and affordable transportation options, Safe Ride KY partners hope no one will drive impaired this St. Patrick’s Day.

Bars and restaurants that would like to sponsor the coalition or help promote the campaign should contact Ali Edelstein at ali@kybourbon.com.

“We’re always looking for new partners to help us grow this important and life-saving effort,” she said.

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For more information, contact Ali Edelstein at (502) 424-5841

About the KDA:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the historic voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces 90 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft and treasured economic engine. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT™, and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please savor our Bourbon and distilled spirits like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.

About Safe Ride KY:

Safe Ride KY is a non-profit organization committed to ending impaired driving in Kentucky. It is led by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and sponsored by Lyft, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, Becker Law Office, the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky, and AAA. Safe Ride KY believes that complementing the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety’s education and enforcement efforts with fully-funded safe rides can prevent impaired driving during high traffic times like holidays. Visit www.saferideky.com for the campaign’s full terms and conditions.