State Office of Traffic Safety and Taxi Magic Team Up to Promote Sober Designated Drivers

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Taxi Magic announced a promotional partnership to encourage those who have had too much to drink to designate a sober driver. Taxi Magic is a new, highly popular, free application for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Palm Smartphones that provides one-button ease to contacting, tracking, and even paying for a taxi ride.

Impaired driving accounts for the highest number of fatal crashes in California and the nation.  While the public is aware of the dangers of DUI, they still can find themselves in situations where a designated sober driver is not available. Where previously calling a cab might have been intimidating, embarrassing or bothersome, this latest technology can make it as easy as one tap on your cell phone screen.

"While we have long advocated taxi cabs as a good alternative in the list of designated sober driving possibilities, both the ease and extras offered through the technology of Taxi Magic make it a great service for those who shouldn't be driving," said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.

"Taxi Magic is thrilled to partner with OTS to bring the message of making sure a sober driver is at the wheel when you are out celebrating," added Tim Csontos, Taxi Magic Vice President for Business Development.  "Its unique position of leadership and innovation in traffic safety will help many lives to be saved."  

Taxi Magic has several unique features, including a "Magic Book" button which can handle multiple tasks that alcohol impaired people could find difficult, making the service ground-breaking and potentially very helpful in keeping drunk drivers off the road.

Available in most large metropolitan areas in California, the "Magic Book" option allows registered users to simply tap the button on their Smartphone and let the application do the rest.  It will determine where the caller is, contact the cab company, and dispatch the cab to the caller's location automatically.  While waiting, the caller can check to see where the cab is on route, which cab it is, who the driver is, and when it arrives. The caller can even use the application to automatically pay by credit card and get a receipt emailed to them.

In smaller towns where the Magic Book option is not available, callers can still use the service to automatically call local taxi companies.  It is also available on the Web and by text messaging via www.taximagic.com, and can be set up hours or days in advance.

Combating impaired driving is Challenge Area Number 1 in the State's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The partnership will help promote the important messages of not driving while impaired and using designated sober drivers when you have had too much.  

SOURCE California Office of Traffic Safety