San Antonio and Texas have a drinking-and-driving problem.
Over the past two years, the number of alcohol-related road accidents in Texas is down slightly, but the number of fatalities attributed to intoxication while operating a vehicle has gone up, according to recent Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) statistics.
Meanwhile, Bexar County ranks third-highest in the state in its number of DUI/DWI crashes, according to TxDOT’s numbers. In 2022, Texas witnessed a 2% rise in drunk driving-related fatalities, with a staggering 1,162 lives lost. That translates to about three deaths a day.
Even more tragic: not a day has gone by since November 7, 2000, that the Lone Star State didn’t record a road fatality.
San Antonio’s newly formed Free Rides Project is working to put a dent in those numbers by encouraging businesses that serve alcohol to offer free ride share services to patrons who need them.
Each partnering bar or restaurant displays a large green sticker noting its participation in the Project. All a patron needs to do is ask for a manager who’s authorized to order them a Lyft or Uber.