HOUSTON – New Year's Day is one of the most deadly for drivers, in large part because of people who choose to drink and drive. Tonight, you've got no excuse because getting a safe ride home is now easier than ever.
Just in time for New Year's Eve, Uber has teamed up with Facebook Messenger. You can now call for an Uber from inside the Messenger app.
"It's super simple. You can do it as you're in Messenger making plans with your friends," explained tech journalist Jennifer Jolly. "You can help your friends get home safe. They can make sure you get home safely."
From inside the Messenger app, just search for Uber. Click on the Uber under "businesses" and follow the prompts to book a ride.
"The first time that you use Uber through Messenger or if this is the first time that you've ever used Uber, you can get a $20 credit. So for a lot of people on New Year's, that's your whole entire ride," said Jolly. She said the discount is automatically applied. Beware of "surge pricing" on Uber tonight. You should see an estimate of what your trip will cost before you summon an Uber through Messenger.
At www.dd4hire-dot.com, you can schedule a driver to pick you up and drive you and your car home. The website claims that it can pick you up in between 15 and 45 minutes. A second driver comes to get the first driver. You need a credit card to book it when you call and cash to pay the driver. You can also call 1-877-780-7384 to schedule a driver. DD4Hire is not available everywhere, so check its availability where you plan to party before you need a ride.
At www.bemydd.com, you can schedule a personal driver for New Year's that will cost between $14 and $19.50 an hour. The driver drives your car anywhere you want to go.
AAA's Tipsy Tow service is free from 6 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday. You can call 1-800-AAA-HELP to get a free tow of up to 10 miles. If you live farther away, you will pay excess mileage charges. Find out what the cost is before you agree to the tow.