The Ohio Department of Public Safety announced a new safety initiative for the upcoming Halloween weekend. Through its Project Plan Ahead program, the state will provide $15 vouchers for Uber and Lyft rides in six participating counties: Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas and Montgomery.
Why the vouchers matter
Officials say the program is grounded in crash data that shows a spike in impaired‑driving incidents around Halloween. During the five‑day reporting period in 2025, Ohio recorded 19 fatal crashes, each claiming a life, and 13 of those crashes involved operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI). Drug‑related fatalities also rose sharply, with 12 fatal crashes involving drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs—a 33% increase from the previous year and a 200% increase from 2021, according to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Targeted counties and voucher distribution
The vouchers can be used for rides that start or end in any of the six counties listed above. The state initially released 2,000 vouchers, which were claimed quickly, prompting the agency to release additional vouchers in smaller batches throughout the weekend. Residents can check availability and claim a voucher at oh.projectplanahead.com.
Official statements
“Drunk driving, impaired driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do,” said Judy Converse, communications program coordinator for the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. Converse explained that the voucher program is intended to make a safe ride home more accessible: “They want to get home safely, they want to do the right thing, and sometimes a program like this just increases accessibility.”
Public response
Local residents who plan to spend the weekend in Cincinnati expressed support for the initiative. “I mean, going out is already expensive. Finding a way home is already more expensive,” said Baylee Trudell. “So if you can save some money like with that voucher, I would definitely use it.”
How to stay safe
Officials encourage anyone who intends to drink alcohol or use drugs to arrange a sober ride in advance, whether through a rideshare service, a designated driver, or another safe‑transport plan. The goal is to reduce the number of OVI‑related crashes and protect Ohio families during one of the state’s highest‑risk holiday periods.
Historical crash data
Over the past five years, Cuyahoga County has recorded the highest number of OVI‑related crashes during the Halloween reporting period, with 95 incidents, followed by Franklin County (83), Hamilton County (65) and Montgomery County (52). The new voucher program targets these high‑risk areas in hopes of reversing the trend.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
