As the holiday season is upon us, the Jefferson City Police Department is again reminding all those who take part in the annual festivities to be responsible and designate a driver.
As an alternative, however, the department and Fechtel Beverage have continued to partner to provide the Sober Driver Program.
The community-based program provides free taxi rides to individuals who are too impaired to legally or safely drive an automobile, or to passengers who choose not to ride with an impaired driver.
Since the inception of the program, more than 10,000 rides have been given to impaired individuals. Free taxi rides can be acquired in one of two ways:
- From an establishment that sells alcohol by the drink.
Patrons or a business representative should call 636-7102 for a free ride home. A Checker Cab will be dispatched to your location. A "Sober Driver" ticket will be presented to the individual needing a ride by the business. The ticket is then presented to the driver of the cab by the patron. The Sober Driver ticket then entitles the passenger to a free ride home from the establishment.
- From private parties that have acquired tickets in advance.
Individuals hosting private parties are eligible to use this program. Tickets for party guests can be acquired prior to the event by calling Fechtel Beverage, 636-5161 or Jefferson City Police Department, Sgt. Doug Ruediger, 634-6397.
Tickets acquired for private parties will have expiration dates covering the time frame of the party.
All Sober Driver tickets are valued at $10 and any costs above that amount are the sole responsibility of the rider.
As a reminder, the Checker Cab Company will only take riders directly to their home or a hotel. They will not stop at another party or establishment that sells alcohol. Passengers can utilize the same ticket as the driver if needed.
In addition, the Police Department will have additional traffic officers patrolling the streets specifically to look for impaired drivers. Through a grant from MoDOT's Traffic and Highway Safety Division officers will enforce all hazardous moving violations and watch for and arrest those who are drunk and driving.