Rideshare service Didi launches tow truck initiative to take both you and your car home

Melbourne will host Didi’s new tow truck trial, taking both you and your car home after a night out. This is how it works.

You and your car can soon be towed home after a night out, for the same price as a normal ride.

Rideshare company DiDi is launching DiDi Tow this summer, with a fleet of bright orange tow trucks set to roam Melbourne streets.

The concept aims to discourage drunk driving with the trial starting over the holiday season.

DiDi Australia Head of External Affairs Dan Jordan said they wanted to “keep people’s car keys in their pocket”.

“We’ve all been in that situation where we’ve had one too many drinks at the bar with our car keys in our pocket,” he said.

Rideshare company DiDi is launching DiDi Tow in Melbourne this summer.

The unconventional system involves booking a truck through the Didi app, handing your keys to your driver who manoeuvres your car onto the flat-bed, takes you home, then parks your car at the other end.

You and one other passenger also get to sit up the front to enjoy an awkward chat with your driver, just like a normal ride home.

During the trial stage, no additional cost will be passed on to the passengers, with DiDi wanting to encourage people to go out and enjoy the festive season safely.

The first riders were picked up last week by 22-year-old tow truck driver Lence Parevska.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Ms Parevska said she always wanted to be a truck driver.

Acknowledging the novelty, passengers Kate Hallahan and Emily Pietrocola couldn’t contain their laughter as Ms Parevska navigated Fitzroy’s tight streets to collect them from the pub.

Ms Hallahan praised the fact she wouldn’t have to do a “trip of shame” the next morning to collect her car across the city.

The tow truck concept aims to discourage drunk driving with the trial starting over the holiday season.

Police are cracking down on drink-driving in the lead up to Christmas following the loss of 272 lives on Victorian roads this year.

The Transport Accident Commission’s 2023 Road Safety Monitor report reveals 48 per cent of Victorians would still consider driving after two or more alcoholic drinks, with chief executive Tracey Slatter calling for a culture change regarding drinking and driving.

“As we head into summer and the festive season … we want to embrace a culture where driving after drinking any alcohol is not considered normal,” she said.

Victoria Police have also issued a zero-tolerance warning and said December is the worst month for intoxicated driving in the state.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the message was clear.

“Not only do we have more alcohol detections, we have more alcohol-fuelled collisions than at any other time of the year,” he said.

“Our message is clear – drinking and driving don’t mix.”

Mr Jordan said if the trial is successful DiDi tow could be rolled out more broadly across Australia.

Originally published as Rideshare service Didi launches tow truck initiative to take both you and your car home