Poll: Would DUIs go down if your town offered free rides home?
For about a year, two South Jersey townships have been offering free Uber or BeMyDD rides home to residents who've been drinking within their borders. Evesham and Voorhees officials announced last week that the program, called Evesham Saving..
For about a year, two South Jersey townships have been offering free Uber or BeMyDD rides home to residents who've been drinking within their borders.
Evesham and Voorhees officials announced last week that the program, called Evesham Saving Lives, will continue for at least another year thanks to the donations that keep it going.
The program has helped to cut in half the number of Evesham residents arrested for DUI, officials there said. Total drunk driving arrests also slid 15 percent and accidents involving alcohol went down 16 percent.
Some, including the South Jersey Times Editorial Board, questioned whether it was a good use of money and said bars should pay for the program. Other NJ.com readers said drinkers shouldn't get free rides, period.
Last week, the Editorial Board said if donors are footing the bill, other New Jersey towns should try out the model to see if they can save lives and reduce drunk driving.
Do you agree?
Here's what some NJ.com commenters said about it.
Joet
A great idea and the town should bill the tavern which allowed the person to get drunk.
Ghost666
... I would imagine that there are people abusing this. They probably have "regulars" every weekend getting free rides. No tax dollars or grant money should be used for this.
Overtaxed_In_NJ
People need to be accountable for their own actions. You want to drink in a bar? Bring enough cash for a cab ride home.
Zoe123
Everyone thinks this stuff is "free," but it ain't. I say, get drunk on your own dime.
Flipper
Of course not getting drunk just isn't an option
Vote in our informal poll, and tell us if you think a free ride program would work in your town.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Evesham and Voorhees officials announced last week that the program, called Evesham Saving Lives, will continue for at least another year thanks to the donations that keep it going.
The program has helped to cut in half the number of Evesham residents arrested for DUI, officials there said. Total drunk driving arrests also slid 15 percent and accidents involving alcohol went down 16 percent.
Some, including the South Jersey Times Editorial Board, questioned whether it was a good use of money and said bars should pay for the program. Other NJ.com readers said drinkers shouldn't get free rides, period.
Last week, the Editorial Board said if donors are footing the bill, other New Jersey towns should try out the model to see if they can save lives and reduce drunk driving.
Do you agree?
Here's what some NJ.com commenters said about it.
Joet
A great idea and the town should bill the tavern which allowed the person to get drunk.
Ghost666
... I would imagine that there are people abusing this. They probably have "regulars" every weekend getting free rides. No tax dollars or grant money should be used for this.
Overtaxed_In_NJ
People need to be accountable for their own actions. You want to drink in a bar? Bring enough cash for a cab ride home.
Zoe123
Everyone thinks this stuff is "free," but it ain't. I say, get drunk on your own dime.
Flipper
Of course not getting drunk just isn't an option
Vote in our informal poll, and tell us if you think a free ride program would work in your town.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.