Free rides available for St. Patrick’s Day in some Missouri cities

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Breakthru Beverage Missouri and Jameson Irish Whiskey are partnering up this St. Patrick's Day to make sure people find a safe way home.

Breakthru Beverage Missouri and Jameson Irish Whiskey will offer 500 free rides home in Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis on Tuesday. The free Lyft rides, valued at up to $30, will be available starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Midnight Wednesday.

To get your free ride, use the code: BBGSTPAT26

Free rides will be available to claim starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office posted on social media, warning that drinking and driving is not only illegal but also dangerous.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during 2023 St. Patrick's Day:

• Drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a higher rate (26%) compared to female drivers (25%).
• Young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (35%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes.
• 32% of drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. were drunk.
• Almost half (41%) of drivers involved in fatal crashes between the hours of midnight and 2:59 a.m. were drunk.
• The percentage of drunk passenger car drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were 31% and 43%, respectively.