Tipsy? Taxi! Program to Offer Rides on Cinco de Mayo

Those who have too much to drink celebrating Cinco de Mayo now have a free option to help them get home safely.

AAA Mid-Atlantic, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) and Yellow Cab will offer the first "Tipsy?Taxi!" campaign for Cinco de Mayo to help curb impaired driving. 

The program combats drunk driving, particularly on holidays that have become synonymous with excessive alcohol consumption. This year’s Tipsy? Taxi! initiative will start at 4 p.m. and will continue until 4 a.m. on Friday.

The program provides free taxi rides to those who are at least 21 years old, and have been drinking at a Baltimore City restaurant or bar. Those wishing to utilize the service must call 877-963-TAXI and Yellow Cab will provide a free ride (up to $50) home within the Baltimore metropolitan area. Balances exceeding $50 must be paid by the rider(s).   

“Far too many people still don’t recognize the perils of drinking and driving.  Before heading out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, plan ahead to avoid needless tragedy,” said SHA Administrator and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative Neil J. Pedersen. “Designate a sober driver, take mass transit or take advantage of a free cab ride courtesy of Tipsy? Taxi!—it’s a simple choice that can help save lives."

While Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico to celebrate their army’s victory in 1862 over Napoleon’s powerful French troops in the town of Puebla, here in the U.S. the holiday is celebrated more as a “drinking holiday” with many bars and restaurants offering promotions and drink specials for the day. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2005-2009, 53 percent of deaths (188) between 4 p.m. May 5 and 4 a.m. May 6 were due to crashes that involved at least one driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater.

In Maryland, during the same time period, the percentage of fatalities due to crashes involving an impaired driver was even higher at 67 percent (four deaths). In terms of impaired driving-related fatalities overall, nationwide deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes have declined by 7.4 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. However, in Maryland there was a 12 percent increase (162 deaths).

“Yellow Cab recognizes the importance of continuing their participation in the Tipsy? Taxi! campaign. It’s our way of helping to keep our community safe, while providing a choice to those who have been drinking and keeping them off our roads,” said General Manager of Yellow Cab Dwight Kines in a statement. 

Kines wants potential participants in the program to remember that Yellow Cab experiences its greatest call volume between midnight and 2:30 a.m. He says if you call and receive a busy signal, please hang up and try again.  If you are placed on hold, please be patient until a representative can assist you.