Home ManhattanFree Rides + Safety Tools for Prom Night – New York Family

Free Rides + Safety Tools for Prom Night – New York Family

by Staff Reporter
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Photo: Claire Schatz

Teens can save money and prioritize safety on prom night with Uber.

As prom season approaches and prices for everything from groceries and meals out to clothing and household supplies steadily increase, the cost of attending the prom can seem overwhelming for many. Prom tickets themselves are costly. It’s not uncommon for tickets alone to cost over $100 each, and that’s not counting attire or after-prom festivities. One of the biggest expenses is transportation. After all, no one wants their Mom or Dad dropping them off and picking them up on prom night. Uber might have a solution.

Uber is offering a promotion specifically for prom night. New users of its teen account program (for ages 13–17) can get three free rides, each valued at up to $50 each, for travel to and from prom-related events, using the code “YES!” This program gives families a budget-friendly way to get around and lets teens travel on their own. Teens can reserve rides up to 90 days in advance. They can also request a woman driver with Uber’s Women Preferences feature.

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Of course, one of the most fun parts of attending prom is going with a group of friends and sharing a ride to and from activities. So, for teens attending prom in groups, UberXL is also offering a larger vehicle option, which allows friends to share a ride and helps reduce overall transportation costs.

Prom Safety Around Drinking and Driving Is Always an Issue

While an Uber might not be a fancy limo, it accomplishes the most important thing on Prom night- keeping teens safe when they may drink. Bob Nulman, an advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a father who knows firsthand the heartbreak of losing a loved one to drunk driving. Bob Nulman’s 22-year-old son, Dan, was killed in a tragic head-on collision with an impaired driver in 1987, which inspired Bob to dedicate himself to fighting impaired driving. He stresses that teaching teens not to drink and drive is vital in keeping them safe.

“Changing the culture around drinking and driving, especially among young people, begins with education and open, proactive conversations,: says Nulman. “Parents, educators, community leaders, and peers all play essential roles in helping teens understand the very real consequences of impaired driving.”

“Communities can further support a shift away from impaired driving by encouraging designated drivers, rideshares, and other safe transportation options, especially during high-risk times,” he explains. “Encouraging young people to look out for one another and speak up if they see someone trying to drive impaired creates a safety-oriented culture of shared responsibility.”

Built-In Safety Features in the Uber App for Parents

To help keep things even safer, once a parent adds their teen to their Uber family profile, they get access to safety tools, including real-time trip tracking, ride notifications, PIN verification, and RideCheck. These tools can flag unexpected stops or anything unusual during a trip, and hopefully give parents a little peace of mind, so they don’t feel the need to check in constantly.

This limited-time prom promotion is valid through June 30, 2026. If you’re interested in participating, it’s a good idea to activate a teen account soon to get it all set up and take full advantage of the available savings.

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