By Elizabeth ValenteStaff Writer
In 1999, 15,786 people died in alcohol-related accidents.Statistics indicate that 21-34 year olds comprise approximately halfof all the drunk drivers involved in these fatal accidents, accordingto the United States Department of Transportation.
Because every death caused by drinking and driving is preventable,Associated Students is looking into the merits of starting a programto help San Diego State University’s students never become part ofdrinking and driving statistics.
It’s called Safe Ride Home and was proposed by A.S. Council memberDarin Clayton who became involved in the program for his businessethics class.
“Students might get behind the wheel when they think they’re allright to drive, when really they might not be,” said Clayton, abusiness management senior.
Today, Clayton’s proposal will be voted on by an A.S. executivecommittee. If passed, it will proceed to the A. S. Council onWednesday. And if A.S. passes the proposal, ways on how to acquirefunding for a pilot program will be researched.
As proposed, Cloud 9 Shuttle vans would operate on Friday andSaturday nights from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. The vans would cover SDSU,Pacific Beach and downtown areas — and would be free.
That is, to SDSU students. Although, it would be necessary forSDSU students to sign a waiver prior to riding in the vans. At thetime of signing the waiver, students would be provided withinformation about the effects and dangers of alcohol.
The program would not drive students to bars or parties, only hometo the address specified on the waiver. This is to ensure the projectmaintains the goal of being a safe ride home and not simply a taxiservice.
Clayton said that it’s a necessary program because drinking anddriving happens more than it should.
“If it happens one time it’s too much,” Clayton said. “Just thefact that we might be saving one life is worth the cost.”
Students would have a card or sticker with the phone number forthe vans that will be on-call throughout the night. Clayton said healso envisions providing various bars with the number in the eventthat students may be too intoxicated to call themselves.
John Clapp, founder of Collegiate Community Alcohol PreventionProgram, said he doesn’t think the program would encourage orincrease student drinking, rather it would show a level ofresponsibility by the school and students.
“Unfortunately, a large number of students report either drinkingand driving themselves, or driving with someone who has beendrinking,” Clapp said. “Programs like this cut down on the risks.”
Clapp said he thinks CCAPP would be interested in offering partialfunding for “Safe Ride Home.” A.S. will start to look for thisfunding from organizations like CCAPP, student-to-student and thegreek community, if the proposal passes.
However, Clayton said A.S. is hoping to gain monetary support fromoutside sources in the community, such as bars and clubs, butemphasized that support from any area would be appreciated.
University of California, San Diego already has a safe rideprogram called Triton Taxi, created more than a year ago.
UCSD A.S. member Matthew Conroy said it’s a successful programthat benefits students regardless of whether they use the service.
“It’s kind of like having a spare tire in your car; hopefully youcan get by without ever using it, but it is really good to have itthere just in case the need arises,” Conrad said.
UCSD communication sophomore Owen Main said he signed up forTriton Taxi to always have the option of a safe ride home. He said hehas never used it, but has friends that “have been very happy withthe service.”
Clayton said as of now the vans would not make trips to Tijuanabecause they feel that would promote underage drinking and would alsogreatly increase the cost of the program, which projects costinganywhere from $7,114 to $14,842 per semester.
However, “anything is up for change or discussion,” Clayton said.
Impaired driving facts
About one million people are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes annually. Alcohol involvement is the single greatest factor in motor vehicle deaths and injuries with 41 percent of fatal crashes involving alcohol. Anti-impaired driving efforts work. From 1986 to 1995, alcohol-related fatalities dropped 28 percent. This drop is generally attributed to stronger laws, tougher enforcement, and good consumer education. Drinking drivers between ages of 21 and 31: Are about half of all the drunk drivers involved in alcohol-related fatal crashes Are responsible for more alcohol-related fatal crashes than any other age group Have the highest blood alcohol concentrations in fatal crashes Are the most resistant to changing their drinking and driving behavior Males are the most dangerous group of drunk drivers
Source: US Department of Transportation’s Fatal AccidentReporting System and the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration’s National Center for Statistical Analysis.
