BISMARCK, N.D. (NDDOT) – ND Sober Ride, a Vision Zero program aimed at reducing the number of impaired drivers on North Dakota roadways through ride-hailing vouchers, provided 800 Lyft rides in March.

ND Sober Ride launched on March 2 to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day and the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign as a technology-based solution and alternative to impaired driving. AAA – The Auto Club Group provided an initial $10,000 to fund $10 off Lyft rides during holidays or events where someone may overindulge.

“AAA – The Auto Club Group is proud to provide the initial funding for a program that focuses on removing impaired drivers from North Dakota roads,” said Gene LaDoucer of AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The fact this program was able to provide 800 sober rides in March shows the need for a program that supports good decisions, such as getting a sober ride to your destination.”

Vision Zero plans to provide ND Sober Ride for upcoming events and holidays. With only $2,000 of initial ride funding left from AAA – The Auto Club Group, additional program sponsors are needed. Companies interested in becoming a part of the solution can sponsor ND Sober Ride by contacting NDDOT Safety Public Information Program Manager, lbjork@nd.gov.

“We are blown away, and positively thrilled by the response the ND Sober Ride program received during the initial campaign launch,” said Safety Division Director Karin Mongeon. “Continuing a program like ND Sober Ride brings the state that much closer to achieving the goal of Vision Zero, zero fatalities and serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes.”

ND Sober Ride will eventually expand to smaller communities by utilizing taxi and other transportation services. Lyft codes are unique to each holiday or event and a user may only use a code once per time period. Codes will be advertised through appropriate media channels to inform the public and will be on the Vision Zero website, when available.

Preliminary crash fatalities in 2021 are trending higher than previous years with 24 fatalities to date, making ND Sober Ride a vital part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.