6/30/2007 9:00 AM
RED TOP CAB COMPANY SUPPORTS SOBERRIDE PROGRAM
Article from: Hospitality Industry and Retailers

Businesses are likely to support your efforts if they see that their money or services are producing some measurable effect for your program. The Washington Regional Alcohol Program's (WRAP) Northern Virginia based SoberRide program has provided more than 10,000 free cab rides home to would-be drunk drivers since 1993. The program's largest quantifiable source of volunteer support comes from its dispatching partner, Red Top Cab of Arlington, Virginia.

For each holiday period when SoberRide is offered, Red Top Cab provides the donated support of at least three communications operators and one dispatcher per day to handle the hundreds of calls that come in to SoberRide's 800 number. It's estimated that Red Top Cab contributes more than $12,000 per year in support of SoberRide in the form of personnel and free taxi service. Approximately 1,500 taxi cab drivers from seven jurisdictions take part in each Sober Ride campaign.

Evidence of SoberRide's viability is its dramatic growth; its ridership has increased by more than 26 percent just from 1998 to 1999. In tandem with SoberRide's growth – and its efforts to rid Northern Virginia's roads of impaired drivers – alcohol and drug-related traffic fatalities in Northern Virginia have also steadily declined. The number of alcohol and drug-related traffic fatalities in Northern Virginia has dropped for a third year in a row.

This highly successful partnership between a community group and a local business is evidence of the effectiveness of gaining the support of businesses when starting a Designated Driver or Safe Ride program. Developing relationships with local businesses strengthens the partner's ties to the community and helps provide longevity, commitment and support.

For more information contact WRAP at (703) 893-0461.