Pocono News Section

State looks at Safe Ride Campaign

State looks at Safe Ride Campaign - Monday, February 2, 2009 at 2:57PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo WYOU TV News
Monday, Feb 2, 2009 @ 02:57pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY

A holiday program to keep drunk drivers off the roads in Lackawanna County is getting some attention from the state.

The "Safe Ride Campaign " provides free cab rides home for people who have had too much to drink. It's directed by Lackawanna County's Durg and Alcohol Commission and was offered between December 15th and New Year's Day this season. Nearly 150 area bars signed up to participate and 92 people took advantage of the rides.

Coordinator Gregg Betti said he's had interest from the state in getting information about the program to see if its something that could be done state wide.

The bill for this season's cab rides came to about $1300. It was paid for by the family of a Lackawanna County man who was killed by a drunk driver. Betti says the key to making the program work is to get sponsors willing to foot the bill. He says he believes it could work on a state wide basis.

Betti said the Lackawanna County Drug and Alcohol Commission is looking into the possibility of expanding its program to include additional holidays such as Saint Patrick's Day.