Too drunk to drive? This country offers a “drunk driver service” — and it’s free
While U.S. road fatalities remain a crisis, this ‘drunk driving service’ provides a practical way to prioritize safety without abandoning your car.
Transportation today is easier and more convenient than ever, especially compared to just a decade ago. While ride-sharing apps changed how people move through cities, there is still a gap. What happens when you have already driven your own vehicle to a social event and then decide to have a few drinks? Traditionally, the only options were to leave the car behind, risk a towing bill, or make a dangerous choice. However, one country has implemented a system that eliminates these excuses. Their system ensures that both you and your car can get home safely, and this innovative approach to road safety is gaining a lot of attention right now.
A simple fix for a serious problem
Driving under the influence remains one of the most significant public safety crises in the United States. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), alcohol-related crashes account for roughly 32% of all motor-vehicle fatalities, resulting in approximately 37 deaths every single day. Despite the availability of taxis and Uber, many people hesitate to use them because they do not want to deal with the hassle of retrieving their vehicle the next morning. In China, a service known as “Daijia” has solved this problem with an efficient, practical model.
The service
A video recently shared by a woman living in China explains exactly how this works. She was headed to a celebration with her husband, and when she asked if he planned to drink, he initially said no because he was the driver. But as social gatherings often go, the plans changed once the festivities began. Rather than stressing about the car, they simply called a “drunk driver” service.
The hired driver arrives at the location on a small, folding electric bike. Once they reach the customer, they fold the bike and place it directly into the trunk of the customer’s car. The driver then takes the wheel and drives the couple home in their own vehicle. After parking the car safely at the destination, the driver retrieves their bike from the trunk and rides off to their next client.
For many users in China, the service is effectively free because it is integrated directly into their car insurance policies. Chinese insurance providers often include several of these “valet” trips per year as a standard benefit, recognizing that paying for a professional driver is far less expensive than covering the costs of a high-speed collision or a totaled vehicle. Even for those without this insurance perk, the price is only slightly higher than a standard taxi fare. Drivers often park near popular nightlife districts and clubs, making the service immediately accessible to anyone who realizes they have had one too many.
Public reactions
The video triggered a lot of reactions online, mostly from people who are frustrated by the lack of similar options. One user wrote, “I love that this service is available! There are 0 excuses now for driving intoxicated!” By eliminating the hassle of retrieving your car the next day, people might think twice before risking driving while intoxicated.
In the U.S., many people seemed envious of this service. One commenter said, “I wish we had this in the U.S. What a neat idea!!” While some American cities have experimented with such programs, they rarely reach the scale or the insurance-backed integration seen in China.
Not everyone was convinced that a new system is necessary; however, one skeptic argued, “If I want to drink, I just call an Uber and share my location with someone I trust. Done.” Another user suggested a funding model that could benefit people more, saying, “Add a tax at bars to cover this amazing service!” A community-funded model could help reduce the costs associated with policing and emergency services related to drinking and driving.
Why this matters
This service addresses a major barrier to road safety: the desire to keep your car with you. People are naturally inclined to protect their property and avoid the hassle of retrieving a vehicle the next day. By providing a way to get the car home at the same time, the service not only enhances safety but is also convenient for many people.
While this service is widely popular in China, similar “drunk driver” services operate in other parts of the world. In South Korea, for instance, thousands of people use “dae-ri un-jeon” every day, where apps connect drivers with people who need a lift home. India also has a growing market for on-demand drivers through apps like DriveU, where you can hire a professional to drive your own car for a flat hourly rate. Other versions of this service exist in Switzerland through “Nez Rouge” during the holidays, as well as in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The success of these services in different countries shows that the “drunk driver” model could be a viable solution for reducing accidents globally. If more insurance companies adopted the model of including these rides as a standard benefit, it would significantly lower the barrier to responsible decision-making and potentially save thousands of lives every year.
