Louisianans who have too much to drink during the holidays can get discounted rides home from Lyft in a partnership with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
The $5 discounts will be available in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport for those who use the code "RIDESMARTLA" in the Lyft app.
Louisiana is one of five states that secured funding through Lyft and the Governors High way Safety Association to offer the discount from the ride sharing company.
"We want people to have a good time during the holidays, but we want to celebrate with family and friends in a responsible manner," said Lisa Freeman, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission executive director, in a press release.
"My hope is that people will download the app and take advantage of this offer to rideshare as an alternative to driving,"
The $5 discounts are available from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. through New Year's Day.
About 40 percent of fatal crashes are alcohol-related, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Last year 15 people were killed on Louisiana roads during the holiday period. Nine of those involved an impaired driver.
Another 170 people were injured during Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays in crashes involving alcohol.
"Lyft's mission is to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation, and that includes helping to keep everyone on the roads safe," said Ed Hutchison, Road Safety Partnerships Manager at Lyft.
In addition to offering the $5-off credits, Lyft also is partnering with Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to support social media efforts throughout the state to get the word out about the dangers of impaired driving.
Freeman noted that the Lyft holiday offer is running simultaneously with the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" law enforcement campaign that targets impaired drivers.
"Officers are out looking for drivers who are impaired through alcohol or drugs, so this is some extra encouragement to let someone sober take the wheel," Freeman said. "It simply isn't worth it, to put your safety and the safety of others at risk."
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1
