Community and Law Enforcement Leaders, Uber and MADD Team Up to Curb
Drunk Driving this Holiday Season
–Organizations encourage Floridians to take the pledge to #LeaveTheKeys-
(Tampa, Fla.) –Today at a press conference in Tampa, Florida the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Uber provided residents and visitors with the top tips to get around safely this holiday season. Uber and MADD have partnered once again to encourage Hillsborough County residents to take the pledge to keep the roads safe and #LeaveTheKeys behind as they go out and celebrate safely during the holidays.
“At the Tampa Police Department, we are focused on keeping our roads safe and that includes educating the public about the many transportation options they have access to after a night out,” said Sergeant John Womack, Tampa Police Department. “If holiday plans include alcohol, we urge residents and visitors to have a designated driver or take public transportation.”
“Raising awareness about the dangers associated with alcohol-impaired driving this holiday season is one of our top priorities,” said Colonel James Burton, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. “When local leaders and organizations come together to arm residents and visitors with information on safe ways of getting from one place to another, we can help reduce drunk driving.”
“MADD works to educate people to ensure everyone knows the travel choices available in their city, town or county,” said Linda Unfried, Co-founder of Hillsborough County MADD. “Ridesharing has a significant impact on communities, including Tampa Bay, by connecting them with a safe and reliable alternative to getting behind the wheel after a night out.”
“Uber is proud to team up with MADD to raise awareness about the dangers associated with alcohol-impaired driving,” said Susan Hendrick, Uber Safety Communications. “There is never an excuse to get behind the wheel after drinking. Pledge to keep the roads safe and ensure you have a designated driver.”
Facts and Statistics on Drunk Driving:
- According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were 973 drunk driving deaths nationwide between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve last year – an increase from 957 the year prior.
- During the New Year’s holiday period (6 p.m. December 31, 2014 – 5:59 a.m. January 5, 2015) the nation lost 31 lives per day in drunk driving crashes—a total of 139 deaths over 4.5 days.
- In total, 10,265 people died from alcohol related crashes in the United States in 2015 –including 508 in Florida.
Uber and MADD launched a national partnership to help save lives this holiday season by reminding people to choose a safe ride alternative to take them to and from their parties and events. Everyone is encouraged to take a pledge not to drink and drive during the holidays. That pledge is being promoted with #LeaveTheKeys, while Uber also recently rolled out new in-app messaging on the pledge and road safety.
Uber is proud to be selected as the official Designated Driving App of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. To learn more about our partnership, visit the website.
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