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Program that helps prevent DUIs extended once again in Evesham, Voorhees

Date Posted: Thu, Dec 17 2015, South Jersey Local News
EVESHAM >> Once again a popular, lifesaving program has been given new life and extended through June 1 in both Evesham and Voorhees.

Evesham Saving Lives, a program that gives free rides home to township residents who have been out drinking at area bars and restaurants, has been extended to give residents of those towns free rides home seven days a week between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., through June 1, township officials announced recently.

The program has been called a “success” by Mayor Randy Brown because since the program’s launch in Evesham on Labor Day weekend, more than 1,000 people were given rides home safely and only two DUIs from area bars have been reported, which, according to Brown, proves the program is saving lives and money.

“We effectively eliminated DUI arrests in Evesham so we can call this a success,” Brown said.

Evesham Police Lt. Joseph Friel said the numbers don’t lie, noting there has been a an 83 percent reduction in the arrest of Evesham residents coming from local liquor establishments and a 55 percent reduction in overall DUI arrests.

“Since the implementation of the cutting edge initiative in September of 2015 the Evesham Saving Lives program has been astonishingly successful in preventing residents and visitors from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

The new partnership with Voorhees Township began in December and was also successful, Brown said, so they extended the program in both towns.

“This has far exceeded my expectations. The ESL program has shown that DUIs can be reduced and should be a model for communities throughout the United States,” Brown said.

The program allows any Evesham or Voorhees resident dining at one of the 19 participating locations in Evesham or the nine participating locations in Voorhees to call Uber or BemyDD for a free lift home within the townships, with proof if where they live. Brown said this allows for people to stay out longer and spend more money at local businesses, which is a win for everyone. In Evesham, Brown vowed as long as he is in office he will find a way to support the program, which is currently being funded without taxpayers money through donations and the Evesham Celebrates Foundation.

“It encourages residents to stay in Voorhees or Evesham for dinner,” Brown said. “It keeps people home and spending money in Evesham. It supports residents and jobs."

To use the free program, one must be a resident of either Evesham or Voorhees, open the app for Uber or BemyDD at a participating bar or restaurant between the designated hours, put in for the ride and the township will foot the bill.