Harris County Offers Free Lyft Rides Memorial Day Weekend to Prevent Drunk Driving Fatalities
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) is partnering with Responsibility.org and Lyft to offer free, sober rides to residents in an effort to reduce impaired driving crashes and fatalities. Starting Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m. through Monday, May 26 at 11:59 p.m., individuals can use promo code “HCSOMEMORIALDAY” for a $15 Lyft credit. This ride must begin and end within Harris County and is available for one-time use per rider while supplies last.
Memorial Day weekend consistently ranks among the most dangerous holiday periods for drunk driving fatalities. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), nearly 1,100 people in Texas were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2023 — with Harris County accounting for more than 160 of those deaths, the highest of any county in the state. In addition to fatalities, thousands more face serious injuries and long-term legal consequences. A first-time DWI offense in Texas can cost upwards of $17,000 in fines, legal fees, increased insurance rates, and license suspension.
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“Memorial Day weekend should be a time to honor and reflect, not one marked by tragedy,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “This partnership allows us to provide residents with a real, safe alternative to driving impaired. Plan ahead, use the code, and let’s all get home safely.”
This sober rides initiative is part of a multi-pronged public safety strategy by HCSO to combat the persistent threat of drunk and drug-impaired driving in the Greater Houston area. In addition to offering rideshare credits, the department will deploy additional deputies across Harris County for high-visibility traffic enforcement. Sobriety checkpoints, no-refusal blood draws, and swift legal action are among the deterrence tactics that will be used throughout the weekend.
For advocates like Leslie Kimball, Executive Director of Responsibility.org, the partnership with law enforcement is a key pillar in changing behaviors and saving lives. “This is about providing solutions and saving lives,” Kimball stated. “We know that prevention works best when communities come together — that’s exactly what we’re doing here in Harris County.”
HCSO and its partners are also using the campaign to educate residents on the importance of planning ahead. While Memorial Day barbecues, lake outings, and parties often include alcohol, officials urge the public to avoid driving under the influence by arranging a designated driver, calling a friend or relative, or using public transportation or a rideshare service.
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The consequences of driving under the influence extend far beyond arrests and court dates. Survivors of drunk driving crashes often deal with lifelong trauma, disabilities, or the grief of losing loved ones. “Every DWI is preventable,” Gonzalez emphasized. “We want people to understand that even one impaired decision can change or end lives — and there’s simply no excuse when safe options exist.”
By integrating technology, community resources, and education, the HCSO’s Memorial Day weekend campaign aims to curb one of the region’s most stubborn public safety threats. As traffic volumes surge during the holiday, law enforcement and advocates hope that access to free rides will make a measurable difference in keeping Houston-area roads safer.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
