The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) will partner with Lyft to offer safe rides to combat drunk driving in Las Cruces and throughout New Mexico now through Super Bowl weekend, Feb. 8, 2021.
Participants will receive a $20 Lyft credit that can be used as many as two times per Lyft account.
Rides are offered anywhere statewide where Lyft is available. Participants may access the credit through the Lyft app using the code: NMSuper21.
Tips are not included, and refunds are not provided for trips that cost less than the $20 credit.
All riders are required to wear face masks and New Mexicans are encouraged to limit unnecessary travel outside of the home and avoid gatherings with non-household members to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“Adults in the United States are drinking 14 percent more during the pandemic,” said Transportation Secretary Mike Sandoval. “It’s understandable people want to celebrate the playoffs and Super Bowl, but the department simply asks New Mexicans to plan ahead. Don’t drink and drive. Stay home and limit travel, but if you do need to go somewhere, please make responsible decisions and let someone else do the driving.”
While the Las Cruces Police Department typically does not announce in advance when it will specifically conduct a saturation patrol or where a sobriety checkpoint will be, police have said they will conduct at least one sobriety checkpoint and three saturation patrols within city limits in February.
Saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints held by LCPD are intended to reduce and eliminate the number of motorists who drive while intoxicated. Officers also will be on the lookout for other traffic safety violations such as drivers using cell phones, and those who fail to properly utilize seat belts and child safety seats.
Las Cruces police encourage those who plan on consuming alcoholic beverages to take advantage of the Lyft partnership or use a designated driver – someone who will not be drinking alcoholic beverages – for their transportation needs.