Designated driver is a safe solution for those who are in a car, but end up drinking

In many countries, including Brazil, driving after consuming alcoholic beverages is a very serious infraction with severe legal sanctions. In China, the combination of strict traffic legislation with innovation in the mobility sector has given rise to a practical and popular solution: the app-based driver service.

The modality allows drivers who have consumed alcohol in bars, restaurants or business meetings to hire a professional to drive their own vehicle to the final destination, ensuring compliance with the law and road safety.

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How does the designated chauffeur service work?

The operation of the model is simple and integrated into the routine of large Chinese cities through cell phones:

• Application request: the customer requests the service through individual transport platforms already popular in the country.
• Arrival of the professional: the hired driver goes to the place of the call riding a folding electric scooter.
• Transportation in the customer’s vehicle: when meeting the contractor, the professional folds the scooter and keeps it in the trunk of the customer’s car.
• Safe route: the driver takes the wheel of the car and drives the owner safely to his residence.

Currently, mobility giants such as Didi and Daijia lead the market for this modality in the country.

Strict legislation and reduction of fatal accidents

The expansion of the designated driver service in China is directly driven by the strictness of the local traffic code. Chinese law provides for severe punishments for those who drive under the influence of alcohol, including high fines, suspension of the right to drive and even jail time.

According to data from the Ministry of Public Security of China, strict inspection added to the popularization of transport alternatives has generated significant results in road safety in the last decade. The country has recorded an annual average of 200 million requests for designated drivers, in addition to a 59.3% reduction in traffic accidents with three or more fatalities since 2012.