Sun, sand and safer roads for summer
Written byDust off your swimmers, fire up the BBQ and put the champagne on ice, summer is finally here.
For most of us the official start of summer means letting our hair down and enjoying a responsible drink or two with friends and family, but sadly too many are also likely to get behind the wheel drunk this summer.
In fact, more people die in motor vehicle crashes during the summer months than any other time of the year*, and according to the World Health Organization 30-40% of road deaths worldwide are caused by alcohol.
Not surprisingly, most of these alcohol related incidents happen late at night, over the weekend, when typically there may not be as many transport options to get you home.
But there are good reasons to be optimistic this year. With more people using services like Uber as a convenient, reliable and affordable alternative to driving, less people are getting behind the wheel when they’ve been drinking.
Why? Because when people can request a reliable way to get home safely at the push of a button — no matter the time or place —they make better, safer choices.
Don’t just take our word for it, a new study from Empirica Research released today found nearly two in five riders say that Uber has helped them personally avoid drink driving, meaning potentially up to 800,000 less people drink driving on our roads.
Now just imagine how much safer our roads could be if everyone had access to a reliable ride, 24/7. The same Empirica study found nearly eight in ten Australians say they would be less likely to drink drive if they knew they could get a ride at any time of the day or night. Now we’re talking about the possibility of preventing up to 6 million people from getting behind the wheel when drunk.
#Leavethekeys this summer
Working with advocacy groups and state governments, today we’re launching a number of initiatives to help Australians #leavethekeys, and make smarter, better and safer decisions when drinking.
Free safe rides home worth over $1 million
In partnership with DrinkWise and more than 200 licensed venues across New South Wales and Victoria, we’re providing over $1 million of free rides during December and January to help people get home safely after a night out.
The free rides worth up to $20 per trip, will be distributed by brand ambassadors and venue staff to help ensure revellers get home safely, without being tempted to get behind the wheel.
“DrinkWise is committed to helping Australians make better choices when consuming alcohol and Uber provides a great transport option before and after drinking.”
It’s reassuring that consumers see Uber as an alternative to drink driving and are using the ridesharing service as part of an enjoyable and safe night out.”
– John Scott, CEO, DrinkWise.
The official Plan B in NSW
In partnership with TfNSW, Uber will become one of the official Plan B transport partners in NSW.
This will include providing rides home after major sporting events, as well as working in major regional centres to educate local residents sharing a ride to get home safely after a night out.
Australian-first subsidised late night rides
In an effort to offer safe and reliable transport for all residents during the festive season, Transport Canberra will become the first Australian government to partner with Uber to provide last-mile transport for Canberra residents.
On select Friday and Saturday nights between 11pm-2.30am during December, Canberrans who catch a NightRider bus service, will be able to get up to $10 off Uber rides to complete their journey from their destination bus stop to their door.
“Ensuring people have a safe and reliable way to get home after a night out is a critical part of our strategy to keep ACT roads safe during the festive season.
That’s why in an Australian-first, we’ve partnered with Uber to complement and extend the reach of our Night Rider bus service, so revellers can enjoy a night on the town, jump on the bus and rest assured an affordable ride for the last-mile to their door is only a few taps away.”
– ACT Transport and City Services Minister, Meegan Fitzharris.
A friendly face, in a friendly place
A team of responsible drinking experts will be visiting venues across the country over the summer months to help educate patrons on the importance of planning a safe way home after a night out.
Schedule Uber to be your designated driver app
We’ll remind our riders to make Uber their designated driver app when heading out for drinks, by scheduling a ride in advance to pick them up at the end of the night.
By giving over 2 million Australians the ability to request a safe and reliable ride at the push of a button – no matter the time or place – ridesharing is helping make our cities better connected, easier and safer places to get around.
Uber On Australia.