COLUMBUS, Ohio (ADAMS) – The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, announced it will activate Project Plan Ahead over Halloween weekend, offering thousands of Ohioans access to free rideshare credits to prevent impaired driving during one of the highest-risk holiday travel periods in the state.
The following was released:
Project Plan Ahead provides up to $15 in free Uber or Lyft rideshare credits, giving drivers a reliable and convenient alternative to driving impaired by alcohol or drugs. Ride credits can be redeemed between 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 3 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2026. Rides must originate in or have a destination within one of seven participating counties:
Butler (Hamilton)
Cuyahoga (Cleveland)
Franklin (Columbus)
Hamilton (Cincinnati)
Lucas (Toledo)
Montgomery (Dayton)
Summit (Akron)
In 2025, 19 people were killed in 19 fatal crashes in Ohio over the five-day Halloween reporting period. Among those crashes, 13 were OVI-related. Crash data also shows an increase in drug-related fatalities over Halloween – 12 fatal crashes last year involved drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs, a 33% increase from the year before and a 200% increase from 2021. Over the past five years, Cuyahoga (95), Franklin (83), Hamilton (65), and Montgomery (52) counties recorded the highest numbers of OVI-related crashes over the Halloween reporting period.
All Project Plan Ahead ride credits are available while supplies last and any remaining balance beyond the $15 credit is the rider’s responsibility. Credit-eligible rides must be requested at the time of travel rather than scheduled ahead. Ohioans can learn more about eligibility, ride codes, and participating transportation partners HERE
OTSO first launched Project Plan Ahead over Memorial Day weekend 2026, where the program showed rapid public participation and significant safety impact. A total of 2,000 ride vouchers were claimed across Ohio, and more than 1,200 rides were taken. Provisional crash data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported the lowest number of traffic fatalities over Memorial Day Weekend in 18 Years. Of the six fatalities, none were believed to be OVI-related.
A second Project Plan Ahead activation was held over Labor Day weekend, where Ohio once again saw an overwhelming level of participation. A total of 5,502 rideshare vouchers were claimed in the seven participating counties. A total of 77% of the vouchers were redeemed through Uber or Lyft – meaning 4,226 safe rides were taken using the vouchers. Crash data from the Highway Patrol shows a 55.6% decrease in fatalities when compared to Labor Day weekend in 2025. At least one of the 12 fatal crashes recorded over the weekend was OVI-related.
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