Press Releases

May 24, 2022

Anheuser-Busch, MADD and Uber Partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation to Help Prevent Drunk Driving this Summer Through the Decide to Ride Campaign

Anheuser-Busch, MADD and Uber Partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation to Help Prevent Drunk Driving this Summer Through the Decide to Ride Campaign

‘Decide to Ride’ – first launched in September 2021 – aims to prevent drunk driving by raising awareness of the critical issue of alcohol-impaired driving and encouraging consumers to plan ahead for a sober ride Partnership to provide locally available discounts on Uber rides in Denver to help consumers plan ahead for a safe ride to and from summer holiday celebrations

May 24, 2022 – Today, the country’s leading brewer, Anheuser-Busch, the nation’s largest drunk driving victim services and advocacy nonprofit, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and ridesharing platform, Uber, announced they are partnering with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to help prevent drunk driving in Denver and across the state this summer.

Colorado historically sees an increase in fatal crashes during the summer. Kicking off on Memorial Day and extending through Labor Day, the public-private partnership with CDOT will encourage consumers to end alcohol-impaired driving by planning ahead for a safe ride all summer long. With increased risks of drunk driving during the summer holidays, this joint effort is critical for raising awareness and promoting road safety by providing ridesharing opportunities to prevent drunk driving.

“This partnership couldn't come at a better time — impaired driving deaths are increasing in Colorado. So far this year, 72 people have been killed in impaired driving crashes in the state. That's twice as many since the 36 in 2019. These are preventable tragedies," said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. "Over the last decade, more than 57% of the Memorial Day weekend fatalities involved suspected impaired driving. We're hopeful the Decide to Ride initiative slows this dangerous trend."

“With Memorial Day weekend signaling the start of summer, it is important that we do our part to ensure that Coloradans enjoy a safe, fun season. That’s why I’m excited to support the joint effort of Anheuser-Busch, MADD and Uber to encourage everyone to do their part to bring an end to drunk driving.” said Colorado State Senator Dominick Moreno. “The public-private partnership with this coalition gives us all one more way to get home safely this holiday weekend. Please remember, if you drink, don’t drive. Decide to ride.”

“A car can be lethal – especially when there’s an impaired driver behind the wheel. I’m grateful to this coalition for protecting Colorado families by pushing to end alcohol-impaired driving,” said Representative Jason Crow. “Let’s each do our part by talking to our friends and family about finding a safe ride home.”

Anheuser-Busch, MADD and Uber joined forces and launched the Decide to Ride campaign in September 2021 as part of a groundbreaking first-of-its-kind coalition aimed at bringing an end to drunk driving .

The Decide to Ride campaign focuses on driving behavior change by connecting with consumers before they even take that first sip – “ because you can’t drive drunk, if you don’t drive there.” Consumers who are aware of the campaign are over 40 percent more likely to use a ridesharing app to avoid alcohol-impaired driving, according to early internal campaign research developed by the coalition.

Building on last year’s launch, Anheuser-Busch, MADD and Uber are partnering with CDOT and additional local sponsorship partners to bring the campaign to life this summer through digital creative, print and out-of-home advertising, promotions at local events including the food festival, ‘Chicken Fight,’ at Elitch Gardens, and signage at retailers sharing a key message for consumers – “If You Drink, Don’t Drive. Decide to Ride.

“At Anheuser-Busch, we are unwavering in our longstanding commitment to drunk driving prevention. During the summer months, this commitment is more important than ever due to the increased risks of drunk driving as consumers raise a glass with family and friends,” said Colleen Lucas, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Anheuser-Busch . “By continuing our Decide to Ride campaign with the Colorado Department of Transportation and reminding consumers of the importance of planning ahead for a safe ride when you’re drinking, we’re confident our joint effort will help create a safer future for all. This Memorial Day, we’re eager to continue making strides toward ending alcohol-impaired driving in Colorado and across the country.”

We at MADD have spent over four decades encouraging people to always plan ahead when plans include alcohol, whether it’s a non-drinking friend or family member, rideshare, public transportation or a taxi, to make sure everyone gets home safely,” said MADD National President Alex Otte. “As we take a moment over Memorial Day weekend to remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation, we can keep our communities and our families safe by making the right choice – if you drink, don’t drive. We are proud to partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation on the Decide to Ride campaign.”

“At Uber, we’re proud to be part of the solution to end drunk driving,” said Kristin Smith, Head of Road Safety Policy at Uber. “With so many transportation alternatives, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel intoxicated, and we’re thrilled to work with CDOT to bring the Decide to Ride campaign back to Colorado this summer. As residents get ready to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, there is no better time to remind everyone to leave their keys at home and make a plan if they decide to drink.”

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world.  We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share.  For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America’s most loved beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

ABOUT MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING (MADD)

Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.

ABOUT UBER

Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 25 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

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