The city of Hartford, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the ride-sharing service Uber are working together to keep drunken drivers off the roads and help people to get home safely after celebrating at Saint Patrick’s Day events.
The city’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was originally scheduled for Saturday, but it was postponed to next Saturday because of the forecast.
From this Saturday through next, $1 from each Uber ride in Connecticut will be donated to MADD. To qualify, users will have to enter the promotion code "MADDSPD" into the app.
As an incentive to use Uber to get home, the ride service is offering $20 off the first-time Uber riders. To take advantage, riders enter the code "MADDCT" into the app. Five dollars will be donated to MADD for each person who enters the code.
“Really the message we’re trying to get across is, while you’re out celebrating, please do so responsibly, and that’s what Uber’s here to do,” said Matt Powers, the general manager of Uber in Connecticut. “We’re very excited about this partnership to promote safety in the state of Connecticut and help residents get out there and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day safely.”
Johanna Krebs, of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the organization wants people to get home safely after going out, celebrating and having a good time.
“Whether it’s utilizing ride-share programs, taxis, public transportation or designating a non-drinking driver, we want you to get home safe,” Krebs said. “There’s no excuse to get behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking.”
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Earlier this week, a father of six was run over and died after leaving a market in Hartford and Brian Foley, deputy chief of the Hartford Police Department, said “early and all indications” lead police to believe the driver was under the influence.
“St Patrick's’s Day is a day obviously where there a lot of alcohol is consumed here in the city,” Foley said, and asked people who will be heading to Hartford to be respectful and safe and arrange for a safe ride home.
“Don‘t get behind the wheel when you’re drinking. We will have enforcement out here,” Foley said. “We would hate to see something bad happen on Saint Patrick’s Day during such a great event for the city here downtown.”
Mayor Pedro Segarra said there have been some very sad experiences because of drunken driving and this adds another layer of safety.
