Uber is teaming up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to prevent accidents due to alcohol during the July 4 celebrations and it will also raise donations for the campaign.
Uber, the popular ride-sharing service, is kicking off its new partnership with a non-profit advocacy group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The new partnership comes in the wake of Fourth of July holiday weekend, which is deemed as one of the deadliest holidays for drunken driving crashes. Uber and MADD have joined hands during this event to prevent drunk driving and also raise donations for the non-profit organization.
Uber will offer its services to help people get safe rides home after a night of celebration. The new promotion is called #UberMADD and it donates $1 to MADD for every ride taken in the United States on July 4 and 5. Uber will donate $10 for every new rider using the service during the promotion and a minimum guaranteed donation of $20,000 for MADD. Passengers need to enter the promotion code UberMADD while booking a cab on Uber app.
"Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. With easy, reliable and affordable alternative transportation options like Uber, there's no reason for anybody to get behind the wheel while impaired," MADD National President Jan Withers said in a press release. "We are proud to partner with Uber to help prevent drunk driving because it's another option at your fingertips for getting home safely."
Uber also allows friends to split the fare of an Uber ride, making the ride even cheaper and convenient. A10 percent decline in DUI arrests in Seattle have been noticed since Uber started its service in the city, according to the company's blog.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, DUIs accounted for 44 percent of traffic fatalities during the July Fourth Weekend, two years ago. The authorities estimate accidents involving DUI cases increased by 4.6 percent in the US from 2011 to 2012.
Uber's base fare is $1.50 and it charges $0.30 a minute and/or $1.90 per mile, the company states on its website.
