A band makes its way up 2nd Street during last year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Harrisburg.
The local “Sober Ride Home” program is set to return, though only for the coming weekend.
On Tuesday, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) stated that Sober Ride Home would offer ride vouchers on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day, for Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties.
The program’s revival coincides with Harrisburg’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 15, which kicks off at 2 p.m. downtown.
The service offers free, $15 Uber vouchers to people who have consumed alcohol at bars and restaurants in the tri-county region. The program is available through a partnership between TCRPC, Uber and Commute PA.
TCRPC ran a pilot “Sober Ride Home” program last July then launched a full program in late December, in time for New Year’s Eve. However, it soon needed to suspend the program after unanticipated heavy use quickly depleted available funds.
According to TCRPC Executive Director Andrew Bomberger, 40% of fatal crashes and 30% of serious injury crashes in the region involve impaired drivers. The hours of operation were chosen because the majority of DUI crashes happen during those peak periods, he said.
“Ultimately our goal is to improve safety on local roadways and decrease DUI crashes through safe, accessible transportation alternatives,” Bomberger said.
The program is made possible through a grant from the Federal Highway Administration and the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, Bomberger said.
Sober Ride Home vouchers are available only while supplies last. Users must have an active Uber account with a credit card on file to access a voucher.
Users can visit the Sober Ride Home website at www.soberridehome.org to scan a QR code and access a one-time, non-renewable Uber voucher for $15 (tip not included).
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