CLEVELAND, Dec. 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeMyDD (Be My Designated Driver), the nation's largest designated driver service, provides a way for revelers to stay safe and not drive if they plan to go out and celebrate the New Year.
In previous years, data has shown a spike in automobile-related accidents over the New Year's period:
- U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports 40 percent of traffic-related deaths during Christmas and New Year's involve drunk drivers.
- On New Year's Day, half the fatal crashes involve a driver who was considered to be drunk, which typically means a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.08, according to an analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that an average of 36 fatalities occurred each day in the U.S. 2001 and 2005 as a result of crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. That number increased to 45 per day during the 3-day Christmas period and jumped to 54 per day over New Year's holiday period.
"BeMyDD actively supports road safety campaigns, such as the holiday campaign against drunk driving that was recently launched by the NHTSA," said Arthur Simanovsky, president and CEO of BeMyDD. "In addition to lending our vocal support, we're also providing a very cost effective transportation solution so people can go out and have fun, but don't have to drive."
BeMyDD offers another option to ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft with a range of affordable services where professional, experienced drivers operate the customer's own vehicle, priced at pre-determined rates free of surge pricing or other surprise fees. All drivers are background screened, interviewed and fully insured up to US$2 million per trip by ByMyDD.
To encourage road safety over the New Year, BeMyDD is offering first time customers a US$20 discount off their first reservation by using promo code: holidays or booking at www.BeMyDD.com/holidays. In addition, safety can also be promoted by giving gift cards for BeMyDD services to New Year revelers. These can be purchased from BeMyDD.com/giftcard or by calling +1 (877) U BeMyDD (823 6933).
With BeMyDD's Personal Driver Service, a professional driver arrives at client's home, chauffeurs the client anywhere they want go using the client's own car, making multiple stops if necessary. The driver waits in the car and takes client back home when they are ready. Rates for the Personal Driver Service range from US$14-US$19.50 per hour depending on geography. With the Pick-Up Service, a client has driven to a location, but does not want to drive home and contacts BeMyDD. The company dispatches two professional drivers to take the client and their car home. Rates for the Pick-Up Service are US$25 for car pick-up + mileage.
"In addition to putting people's lives at risk, police will be out in force looking for drunk drivers and the average DUI costs US$10,000," said Simanovsky. "It's just common sense to plan ahead and make a service like BeMyDD part of your New Year's celebration."
About BeMyDD
BeMyDD (Be My Designated Driver) is the nation's largest designated driver service currently operating in 76 markets in 31 states. This convenient, safe, reliable and affordable alternative transportation service provides a chauffeur at a discounted rate by driving the customer's automobile. Professional, experienced drivers are fully background screened, interviewed and insured by ByMyDD and wear formal business attire. BeMyDD was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Cleveland, OH. The company has national partnerships with leading liquor and wine companies such as CÎROC and Brown-Forman to promote social responsibility. To schedule a professional driver, go to BeMyDD.com, call +1 (877) U BeMyDD (823 6933), or download the mobile app. To learn more, visit www.BeMyDD.com and follow us on Facebook; LinkedIn; Google+; YouTube and Twitter.
Contact:
Michael E. Donner
EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
mdonner@BeMyDD.com
+1 (877) 823 6933