Safe Ride program searches for funding

there was some controversy when bernalillo county started a pilot program to not only pick people up from the bars...but to take them to the bars. tonight the money for those rides will run out...but that doesn’t mean the program is ending. joe vigil is live downtown where the safe ride program is in full swing for cinco de mayo. joe. even though the minute thumbnail 10:04 pm money for the pilot project is running out --- county leaders want to make the rides to bars and restaurants permanent ...saying they've helped reduce the dwi problem. and right now are trying to find money to do that. those pickups haven't cost county taxpayers a dime. the new mexico hospitality retail association--made up of bars and restaurants ---kicked in the money for those rides during holidays last year. the rides home are paid for by the county with money from liquor excise taxes. officials say when you pick someone up they can't decide to drive later on, because they don't have a car. county commissioner maggie hart stebbins says dwi arrests were down every weekend or holiday when the rides to and from the bars were offered. "it's had a dramatic impact on dwi that we want to make it permanent. so that we would have a fund that would be available for any evening when we think there's a high incidence of dwi." again the 8 thousand dollars that the hospitality group minute thumbnail 10:05 pm provided for the rides to liquor establishments runs out tonight.

Channel: ClipSyndicate Video Length: 0s Date Found: Thu, May 06 2010 2:57 AM Category: News Date Produced: Thu, May 06 2010 12:03 AM View Count: 0