California Office of Traffic Safety’s DDVIP Mobile App Chosen as “Bright Idea” by Harvard University

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#brightidea2017–Harvard University’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
at the John F. Kennedy School of Government has recognized the
California Office of Traffic Safety’s Designated Driver VIP (DDVIP)
mobile app as part of its 2017 Bright Ideas program.

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Rhonda
Craft, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Our DDVIP
app aims to save lives by rewarding and encouraging the use of
designated sober drivers and any light we can shed on this great program
aids in that effort.”

The app, with over 37,000 downloads in California to-date, is unique,
both among other designated driver or anti-DUI apps and among those
produced by a government agency. Launched in 2014, the DDVIP app is
available for free download on iOS and Android devices. The GPS-enabled
DDVIP app highlights nearby bars and restaurants that feature incentives
for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free
appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media
tie-ins and a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

“Bright Idea honorees demonstrate that there are no prerequisites for
doing the good work of governing,” Stephen Goldsmith, director of the
Innovations in American Government Program at the Ash Center, said in a
statement. “Small towns and massive cities, huge federal agencies and
local school districts, large budgets or no budgets at all — what makes
government work best is the drive to do better, and this group proves
that drive can be found anywhere.”

For consideration as a Bright Idea, programs must currently be in
operation or in the process of launching, have sufficient operational
resources, and must be administered by one or more governmental
entities. Nonprofit, private sector, and union initiatives are eligible
if operating in partnership with a governmental organization. Bright
Ideas are showcased on the Ash Center’s Government Innovators Network,
an online platform for practitioners and policymakers to share
innovative public policy solutions.

This year’s cohort includes programs from all levels of government —
school districts, county, city, state, federal agencies, and tribal
nations, as well as public-private partnerships — that represent the
next horizon in government work to improve services, solve problems, and
work on behalf of citizens.

For more information about the California Office of Traffic Safety,
visit www.ots.ca.gov.
Follow the DDVIP program on Twitter at @DDvipCA or find us on Instagram
at DDvipCA.

Contacts

California Office of Traffic Safety
Chris Cochran, 916-509-3063
chris.cochran@ots.ca.gov