On Wednesday, April 10th, Borough President James S. Oddo, District Attorney Mike McMahon, and the technology company Uber announced a continuation of their partnership that began on Thanksgiving Eve in 2017 to combat drunk driving. At the press conference, they announced the availability of free Uber rides on Cinco de Mayo to allow Staten Islanders to arrive safely home after their celebrations.
Between the hours of 3pm-11:59pm on Sunday, May 5th, Staten Island residents can open up their Uber apps and enter the promo code “SAFERIDE19” to unlock two free rides (up to $10 each way). The ride must start and end in Staten Island. Codes will work on a first come, first served basis as the number of free rides available through this promotion will be limited.
Each trip has a maximum value of $10. If a ride costs more than $10, riders will receive that much as a credit and will be responsible for the remaining fee due.
When taking an Uber, be sure to always put personal safety first. Before getting in the vehicle, take a second to double-check the app for your driver’s information, which includes matching the license plate number, matching the car’s make and model, and checking the driver’s photo. Riders should also be aware of the safety center features within the app. The features include an emergency assistance in-app button that allows users to call 911 to get help if you need it, as well as a Share My Trip option that allows users to set up trusted contacts and create reminders to share your trip status with friends and family in real time.
The Carl V. Bini Fund, the Forest Avenue BID, the South Shore BID, and the Richmond County Bar Association are also sponsoring this initiative.
“I am grateful to be able to continue our successful SI Safe Ride initiative on another big party night. We don’t want a single person getting behind the wheel drunk,” said Borough President Oddo. “If you plan on celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year, please do so responsibly and leave your car at home. Thank you to DA McMahon and Uber for partnering with us to promote safe and sober driving on Staten Island.”
“Continuing on the success of our SI Safe Ride Initiative, I am thrilled to join Borough President Oddo and Uber to once again make this offer available to Staten Islanders,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “As prosecutors, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of drunk driving, so we encourage everyone to make the responsible decision while celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year and take advantage of this promotion.”
“When people have access to a convenient, reliable way to get home, they're able to make safer choices. We're proud to partner with Borough President Oddo and DA McMahon to help encourage Staten Islanders to leave the keys at home on Cinco de Mayo and take a safe ride,” said DeShawn Wright, Senior Manager for Public Affairs at Uber.
The free rides are part of the “SI Safe Ride” initiative, which launched in November of 2017. Nearly 3,000 Staten Islanders participated in the initial promotion, which allowed users to get free rides on Thanksgiving Eve in an effort to combat drunk driving. “SI Safe Ride” was created through a partnership between Borough President James Oddo, the technology company Uber, District Attorney Mike McMahon, the NYPD, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
A report by Uber and MADD concludes that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making responsible choices that result in fewer alcohol-related crashes.
Uber has been proven to help reduce drunk driving across America. For example, DUI arrests in Seattle decreased by more than 10% after Uber started serving riders and drivers in the city, according to a study. An independent study conducted by Temple University found cities where Uber operates have 3.6%-5.6% fewer drunk driving deaths than cities without access to ridesharing.
In 2003, Oddo and McMahon, then City Council Members, sponsored “Operation Arrive Alive,” a similar, though low-tech initiative that relied on bartenders to call a cab for patrons who requested one. “SI Safe Ride” is different in that it allows patrons themselves to summon an Uber in the way they are accustomed to.
Initiative sponsors, the Forest Avenue BID and the South Shore BID, include the following nightlife establishments: Curly Wolf Saloon, Play, Joyce’s Tavern, Campania, Talk of The Town, Flanagan’s Tavern, Marmar Restaurant, Jody's Club Forest, Liberty Tavern, Ho Brah A Taco Joint, Cafe Milano, Kettle Black, Kings Arms Diner, 3 Guys Sushi, Panini Grill, Burrito Bar & Restaurant, Duffy's, Bruno's, Li Greci's Staaten, Casa Franco.
Between the hours of 3pm-11:59pm on Sunday, May 5th, Staten Island residents can open up their Uber apps and enter the promo code “SAFERIDE19” to unlock two free rides (up to $10 each way). The ride must start and end in Staten Island. Codes will work on a first come, first served basis as the number of free rides available through this promotion will be limited.
Each trip has a maximum value of $10. If a ride costs more than $10, riders will receive that much as a credit and will be responsible for the remaining fee due.
When taking an Uber, be sure to always put personal safety first. Before getting in the vehicle, take a second to double-check the app for your driver’s information, which includes matching the license plate number, matching the car’s make and model, and checking the driver’s photo. Riders should also be aware of the safety center features within the app. The features include an emergency assistance in-app button that allows users to call 911 to get help if you need it, as well as a Share My Trip option that allows users to set up trusted contacts and create reminders to share your trip status with friends and family in real time.
The Carl V. Bini Fund, the Forest Avenue BID, the South Shore BID, and the Richmond County Bar Association are also sponsoring this initiative.
“I am grateful to be able to continue our successful SI Safe Ride initiative on another big party night. We don’t want a single person getting behind the wheel drunk,” said Borough President Oddo. “If you plan on celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year, please do so responsibly and leave your car at home. Thank you to DA McMahon and Uber for partnering with us to promote safe and sober driving on Staten Island.”
“Continuing on the success of our SI Safe Ride Initiative, I am thrilled to join Borough President Oddo and Uber to once again make this offer available to Staten Islanders,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “As prosecutors, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of drunk driving, so we encourage everyone to make the responsible decision while celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year and take advantage of this promotion.”
“When people have access to a convenient, reliable way to get home, they're able to make safer choices. We're proud to partner with Borough President Oddo and DA McMahon to help encourage Staten Islanders to leave the keys at home on Cinco de Mayo and take a safe ride,” said DeShawn Wright, Senior Manager for Public Affairs at Uber.
The free rides are part of the “SI Safe Ride” initiative, which launched in November of 2017. Nearly 3,000 Staten Islanders participated in the initial promotion, which allowed users to get free rides on Thanksgiving Eve in an effort to combat drunk driving. “SI Safe Ride” was created through a partnership between Borough President James Oddo, the technology company Uber, District Attorney Mike McMahon, the NYPD, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
A report by Uber and MADD concludes that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making responsible choices that result in fewer alcohol-related crashes.
Uber has been proven to help reduce drunk driving across America. For example, DUI arrests in Seattle decreased by more than 10% after Uber started serving riders and drivers in the city, according to a study. An independent study conducted by Temple University found cities where Uber operates have 3.6%-5.6% fewer drunk driving deaths than cities without access to ridesharing.
In 2003, Oddo and McMahon, then City Council Members, sponsored “Operation Arrive Alive,” a similar, though low-tech initiative that relied on bartenders to call a cab for patrons who requested one. “SI Safe Ride” is different in that it allows patrons themselves to summon an Uber in the way they are accustomed to.
Initiative sponsors, the Forest Avenue BID and the South Shore BID, include the following nightlife establishments: Curly Wolf Saloon, Play, Joyce’s Tavern, Campania, Talk of The Town, Flanagan’s Tavern, Marmar Restaurant, Jody's Club Forest, Liberty Tavern, Ho Brah A Taco Joint, Cafe Milano, Kettle Black, Kings Arms Diner, 3 Guys Sushi, Panini Grill, Burrito Bar & Restaurant, Duffy's, Bruno's, Li Greci's Staaten, Casa Franco.
