The city of El Paso, Texas is taking steps to stop drunk driving, especially during weekends. To help people get home safely after drinking, the city is offering free Uber ride credits.
This plan is a smart way to reduce accidents, but there’s also a hidden problem—parking rules in certain areas are making things difficult for those who try to do the right thing. Let’s take a closer look at both the help and the challenges this plan brings.
Free Uber Rides Every Friday in El Paso
Every Friday afternoon, the city of El Paso releases a limited number of $20 Uber ride credits. These are offered through the El Paso County website, and they are meant for people who may drink too much and need a safe way home.
These credits are funded by a $50,000 grant from TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation), which was awarded in October 2024. It’s part of a campaign to prevent drunk driving in the city.
Only about 100 to 150 ride credits are made available each Friday, so if you plan to use one, grab it early—and only if you’re sure you’ll need it.
Don’t Waste the Ride Credit
The city is asking people not to take the free credit unless they really plan to use it. If someone claims one and doesn’t use it:
- Someone else might miss the chance to get it
- The $20 credit will go to waste
- It reduces the overall impact of the program
Since it’s public money from a grant, using it wisely helps more people stay safe and off the road.
What’s the Problem Then?
While El Paso is giving people a way to avoid drunk driving, there’s another issue—parking rules in downtown areas.
If you leave your car parked overnight, especially in downtown El Paso where most bars and nightclubs are located, you risk getting towed. This is because many of these areas don’t allow overnight parking.
So imagine this: You drink, choose not to drive, and take a free Uber home. But the next morning, you find out your car has been towed. Now, you have to pay towing fees, storage charges, and more.
This confuses the message. On one hand, the city tells people not to drink and drive, but on the other hand, punishes them for leaving their cars behind.
A Simple Fix: Change the Parking Rules
To support the effort of stopping drunk driving, it may be time for El Paso to update its overnight parking policies—especially in entertainment areas like downtown.
If people know they can leave their cars safely and take a free Uber home, more would likely make the right choice. That would save lives, reduce accidents, and also support the mayor’s goal of a safer city.