4th Of July Weekend 2016: Uber Collaborates With Nevada For Anti-Drunk Driving Campaign, Offers Free Rides

Ride-sharing company Uber has reportedly joined hands with the Nevada Department of Public Safety as a part of a new safety campaign that aims to prevent drunk driving incidents during the July 4 weekend.

As part of the Zero Fatalities awareness campaign, which starts June 30 and runs through July 5, Uber is offering discounted ride codes to cover any new user's rides up to $15. New Uber users can use the promo code JULY4NV for a free first ride up to $15.

Out of the money earned from each ride, $5 will be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD.  In addition, during the campaign, $1 will be donated to MADD for every Uber ride taken to or from all PT's Entertainment Group taverns, including all Southern Nevada PT's, Sierra Gold and Sean Patrick's locations.

"The goal of Uber's participation in the campaign is to bring greater awareness to safe and new transportation alternatives to driving impaired and to reduce fatalities and serious injuries as a result of impaired driving crashes. Innovative technologies, such as ridesharing, have proven to reduce impaired driving citations in other U.S. communities," a news release from Nevada DPS read.

The campaign will also see participating law enforcement agencies distributing Uber discount ride cards during routine traffic stops to help raise awareness.

AAA is projecting that more than 43 million Americans will travel nationwide during July 4 weekend, up more than 1 percent from the 2015 Independence Day holiday period.

"Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. With easy, reliable and affordable alternative transportation options like Uber, there's no reason for anybody to get behind the wheel while impaired," said MADD Sacramento program director Tina Heard. "We are proud to work with Uber to help get more safe drivers on the road."

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, July Fourth is the deadliest day of the year for drivers. The safety-research group claims that on average, more people die in motor vehicle crashes on July 4th than any other day of the year, with the main reason being alcohol.

We advise our readers to avoid drink and drive. It's better to be safe than sorry.