HELPING OTHERS … Left to right one row: Cindy Keeler, WBNO-WQCT Radio sales manager, Peg Buda, Safe Communities Coordinator, Shannon Cooley, Grace Community Church administrator, Rev David Falls, Grace Community Church pastor and Suzie Miller, WBNO-WQCT Account Executive
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(Bryan, Ohio) The Safe Ride Home planning committee recently met at Grace Community Church to begin preparing for the annual New Year’s Eve Safe Ride Home program. Williams County Safe Communities and WBNO-WQCT Radio combine efforts with Grace Community Church to provide a community service of offering the Safe Ride Home program for this coming New Year’s Eve. The purpose of the Safe Ride Program is to offer Williams County residents an alternative to driving under the influence of alcohol after attending New Year’s Eve celebrations where alcohol has been served.
The program is initiated with a phone call. According to Shannon Cooley, Grace Community Church Administrator, last year on New Year’s Eve, 53 safe rides home were given to participants who called
419-636-5449. Within minutes of making a call, volunteers from Grace Community Church will pick you up from any home, tavern, party, club, or organization (in Williams County) and provide you a safe ride home. And, best of all, this service is FREE! You may call and reserve a ride home if you’d like, or you may call on New Year’s Eve. Safe Ride Home is offered December 31, 2012 from 9:00 pm to January 1, 2013, 2:30 am. To reserve a Safe Ride Home, call 419-636-5449 and leave a message. The Safe Ride Home program is being offered by Grace Community Church in combined effort with WBNO-WQCT and the Williams County Health Department – Safe Communities Coalition.
“We know that the holiday season can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to drunk driving,” said Peg Buda from Safe Communities. “Taking a risk on having your 2012 end in an arrest or death is just not worth it.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) just announced new data showing a 2.5 percent decline in drunk driving crashes last year. While this shows progress, still 9,878 people were killed by this 100 percent preventable in 2011. Drunk driving still accounts for more than 30 percent of deaths on American roadways each year. That is why Safe Communities, WBNO-WQCT Radio and Grace Community Church would like everyone to embrace the spirit of driving sober or designating a driver this season. “The message is simple, drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. If you plan to consume alcohol, you should plan not to drive,” said Buda. “and on New Year’s Eve call 419-636-5449 for a Safe Ride Home.
Safe Communities recommends these simple tips for a safe holiday season:
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member;
- Use your community’s Safe Ride Home program; On New Year’s Eve, Grace Community Church provides safe rides home by calling 419-636-5449;
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
- And remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride with a driver who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
For more information, please visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov