Going pubbing? Ola wants you to take a breathalyser test before you drive back

Taxi aggregator Ola Cabs announced on Thursday that it’s entered into a partnership with the Karnataka government to set up breathalyser kiosks outside pubs and restaurants in the state. As part of the initiative, Ola plans to install breathalysers outside around 1,000 pubs and restobars across state.
The campaign is aimed at encouraging responsible driving by urging pubs and bars-goers to check their alcohol levels before taking to the wheel. Ola will also designate volunteers at every restaurant where their kiosks are installed to help patrons book a cab in case their alcohol levels are high.

The campaign — which is named RISK (Road Safety Initiative for Safer Karnataka) — will kickstart from Thursday and, after completing its pilot in Bengaluru, it will be rolled out in various parts of Karnataka.
“Through this unique campaign, we are encouraging people to take safe rides back home post alcohol consumption and do their bit to make our roads and cities safer,” said Raghuvesh Sarup, CMO and head of categories at Ola.

President of the Association of Bar and Restaurant, Pub and Hotels Ashish Kothari welcomed the move by the taxi aggregator and promised to support them in its nationwide campaign aimed at reducing drunk driving. Kothari is also president of the Bengaluru Pubs and Bars’ Association.
Earlier too, Ola has campaigned for safe driving in other regions in the country. In a similar initiative in September, Ola had tied up with Delhi police and the Hauz Khas Village Traders Association to install breathalysers outside the pubs in the Delhi’s favourite party destination.