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Dec 30, 2008 11:10 pm US/Central
Safe Cab Program Cutting Down On DWIs
CAMBRIDGE, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The participating bar, local beer distributor and community fund pick up the tab of the cab rides.
CBS
An hour straight north from the hustle of the metro, Main Street in Cambridge, Minn. offers a similar menu at a slower pace. A few years ago, though, a few drinks could have cost you much more than you bargained for.
In the past year, Isanti County has cut its DWI arrests by nearly 40 percent, with the help of its Safe Cab program.
Loren Davis owns one of Isanti County's most popular bars, the Isanti Bar and Grill. Davis jumped on board with the Safe Cab program as soon as he heard about it.
"It gives you an option to be able to come downtown and go out for the evening and not worry about how to get home because now there's a way to get home," Davis said.
Safe Cab started with one driver and one car. Now there are three cars running on the weekend on the streets of Isanti County. The cabs serve about half of the county's bars without any cost to the customer. The participating bar, local beer distributor and community fund pick up the tab.
The program has caught the attention of the Isanti County Sheriff's Department.
"It's going to come down to a personal choice, whether you're going to drive or not, but having those extra options, you can tell it is making a difference," Deputy Wayne Seiberlich said.
In fact, alcohol-related arrests have dropped more than 60 percent at the bars using it, and organizers hope it is just the beginning. With more than 1,200 rides and counting, Isanti County is proving after a night out, at least one part of big city life can save you a lot more than money.
The Safe Cab program has expanded into Pine County recently. When you leave your car parked outside a bar in a snowstorm, some cities have agreed not to tow in those two counties.
We checked into other options if you're out celebrating Wednesday night. There are several local companies that will get you and your car home safely and the Department of Public Safety is offering Designated Driver gift cards.
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