Franklin County residents heading out for Labor Day weekend can claim a free Uber or Lyft ride home, up to $15, through a state impaired-driving prevention program.

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) launched "Project Plan Ahead" for the holiday weekend, Spectrum News 1 reported. The credits are available between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. each night from Sept. 4 through Sept. 8.

Riders must request the ride at the time of travel. Advance scheduling does not qualify. Credits are first-come, first-served while supplies last, and riders are responsible for any fare above $15.

Franklin County is one of seven participating counties statewide. The others are Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Montgomery, Lucas, Summit and Butler. Rides must start or end in one of those counties to qualify.

Residents can sign up at oh.projectplanahead.com.

Franklin County has the worst Labor Day impaired-driving record in Ohio. Over the past five Labor Day reporting periods, the county recorded 96 crashes involving operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), more than any other county in the state, according to Spectrum News 1. Cuyahoga County was second with 79 and Lucas County third with 77.

Statewide, 27 people died in 23 crashes during the 2025 Labor Day reporting period, a 35% increase from 2024. Of those fatal crashes, 15 involved impaired driving, resulting in 17 deaths.

"Historically, no other holiday period in Ohio has more fatal and serious-injury crashes than Labor Day weekend," Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Ben Suver said in the Sept. 3 launch announcement. Suver said Project Plan Ahead gives people a practical way to make a safer choice, one that can prevent crashes and save lives.

The program first ran over Memorial Day weekend, when 2,000 vouchers were claimed statewide and more than 1,200 rides were taken. Franklin, Hamilton and Cuyahoga counties had the highest usage. Ohio State Highway Patrol data showed that Memorial Day weekend produced the lowest number of traffic fatalities in 18 years, with none of the six deaths believed to be OVI-related.

OTSO Director Emily Davidson said the program offers an alternative to impaired driving during what she called one of the most dangerous travel weekends of the year.

Credits expire after 3 a.m. Sept. 8.