$20 off Lyft rides offered in Lexington Saturday to keep drinkers from driving
Several Kentucky organizations are trying to keep impaired drivers off the streets before and after Saturday’s University of Kentucky football game against Georgia by teaming up to slash prices of Lyft rides.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, University of Kentucky, Keeneland and many supporters have raised $20,000 — including a $10,000 match by Lyft — to offer $20 off discounted rides Saturday through the app Lyft. Those of legal drinking age can enter the promo code “CATURDAY” in the Lyft app to redeem the discount.
The discounted rates will be available from 12 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday and available on rides to and from UK’s football game against Georgia; area bars or restaurants; and hotels or local watch parties. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. at Kroger Field.
The plan came about when KDA President Eric Gregory realized what campus and all of Lexington will be like Saturday when Kentucky hosts Georgia.
“I am true Blue. I am a Kentucky graduate,” Gregory said. “After the game Saturday night, I called Ali (Edelstein), our director of social responsibility, and said, ‘Lexington is going to be insane next week with this game. We need to make sure people celebrate responsibly.’”
After devising the plan, Gregory said KDA called community partners around Lexington, and they did not hesitate to chip in money. UK Healthcare, VisitLex, the Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers, Maker’s Mark and Brown-Foreman were other contributors.
David Kelly, the Executive Director of the Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers, said their goal is to stop drunk driving.
“Last year, there were 24,357 drunk driving arrests across Kentucky and we believe we can be part of the solution to stop repeat offenses,” Kelly stated. “But preventing the first offense is the best solution so we’re glad to participate in this effort to keep SEC fans safe.”
There will also be a tailgate for the grassroots movement Better Drinking Culture Saturday outside Kroger Field. According to its website, Better Drinking Culture educates people about alcohol and shares stories about how drinking better can make for healthier lives.
Many people are calling Saturday’s football game the “biggest game” ever played at Kroger Field. A press release from the organizations funding the discounted Lyft rides stated their mission was “to make this weekend’s historic game between UK and Georgia a memorable one by helping fans celebrate responsibly.”
In September, a University of Kentucky student struck and killed 4-year-old Marco Shemwell outside of Kroger Field. Jacob Heil is charged with driving under the influence.
Also this football season, a car was overturned on State Street by fans who were celebrating a win over Florida.
UK Police Chief Joe Monroe asks the public to celebrate responsibly and be respectful this weekend.
“We all want to win this game. We all want to celebrate. Let’s do it in a manner that is respectful,” he said.
While the Lyft deal is for Friday only, Monroe envisions future partnerships to curb drunken driving.
“This is a program we will evaluate and see how the ridership goes,” he said. “This may be an opportunity for us to partner in the future on some different things with Lyft and Kentucky Distillers’.”
This story was originally published November 2, 2018 at 9:13 AM.