Safe Rides

By: Jennifer Ostermann

            Drunk driving is very known in college.  Did you know that 2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 drove under the influence of alcohol last year?  Out of those 2 million, 1,400 college students die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.  Drinking changes the way you act and see things.  Your reflexes are slower and your instincts diminish.  Here is a story about a college guy and his friends……

            The first Saturday night, after moving into Desmond hall, Sean was bored and wanted to go to a Sigma Chi party with his friends.  He decided to be the DD (designated driver).  When they got to the party, off of Howe, they found out that it was a triple kegger, meaning there were going to be three beer kegs there.  Even though Sean said that he wouldn’t drink, he was pressured by his friends and by seeing everyone else drink.  People kept saying, “Come on Sean, just one cup, you’ll be ok.”  Sean gave in and ended up drinking seven cups full by the end of the night.  He had drank too much and could not drive home anymore because he was too drunk.  Eric, a pledge from Sigma Chi, came up and told them to call Safe Rides! (1-800-GO-4-CSUS)    

            Safe Rides is a program ran by students who will come pick you up wherever you are and take you safely home.  The Safe Rides Program is designed to prevent incidents related to drinking and driving that lead to accidents, DUI / DWI arrests, and death.  Also, if you just don’t feel comfortable driving, or your driver has been drinking, then you can call them.  All you need is your Sac State One Card. 

            Safe Rides is open starting Thursday nights and ending Saturday nights from 10pm-2am.  All you do is pick up a phone and dial 1-800-GO-4-CSUS.  It’s easy!  They ask you where you are, how many people are with you, and how many of you have been drinking, if you have.  They will pick you up and drive you home.  If you ask them to take you to another party, they won’t.  The only thing is that you have to be in the Sacramento area.  It doesn’t matter how many people you have with you.  They can fit as many people as 10 people in one car. 

            Safe Rides is run by students, for students.  The drivers are volunteers and most of them are doing community service for a fraternity or sorority.  I would totally take advantage of this opportunity if I were you.  Don’t worry, IT’S FREE and you don’t have to worry about not having a ride home.