Many families and individuals will be celebrating Thanksgiving on November 28 and The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is recommending drivers plan ahead for safe travel back home.

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) recently received a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in partnership with Lyft to offer $20 rideshare credits throughout the state of Ohio to combat impaired driving.

"Even a small amount of alcohol can affect someone's driving ability, that's why it's so important to plan a sober ride before you have even one drink," said Emily Davidson, Executive Director of OTSO. 

Beginning November 26, drivers can claim a $20 rideshare credit while supplies last. The code for the credit can be found on the OTSO website starting November 25 at 7 a.m.

It is important to note that users will have 24 hours to use this credit after adding it to their Lyft account. Credits will expire if not used. These expired credits will go back into the system to be claimed again the next day. 

If all codes have been claimed for that day, OTSO recommends checking back on the website periodically for additional codes to become available. 

To redeem this credit, OTSO relays these instructions:

  1. Open the Lyft app and select "Payment" from the menu on the top-left corner.
  2. Scroll to "Add Lyft Pass" and enter the code from the OTSO's website. 
  3. The credit will be applied and can be used during the eligible time. 

"Getting behind the wheel while impaired is one of the most dangerous things someone can do - but it's entirely preventable," said GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins. 

In Ohio, 56% of all motor vehicle deaths are related to operating a vehicle while impaired.

During the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 13 people were killed in 12 fatal crashes on Ohio's roadways. Almost half of those crashes reportedly involved a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs.