July 4th SoberRide in Eastern Loudoun County

The Loudoun Times reports that the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program will offer free cab rides (up to a $30 cab fare) from 10 p.m. July 4 to 4 a.m. July 5 for Eastern Loudoun County residents (by Loudoun Yellow Cab).

To receive a free cab ride home, Loudoun County residents should call call 800-200-8294 (TAXI). AT&T customers may dial #WRAP from their wireless phones.

All requests for SoberRide service must be called to and dispatched from 1-800-200-8294. Do not call a taxi company directly for SoberRide service as the ride will not be covered under this program.

WRAP's SoberRide, called one of the nation's most successful free cab ride programs for would-be impaired drivers, has helped to ensure greater Washington, D.C. residents have a safe way home on high-risk holidays. Since 1993, WRAP has provided over 57,990 safe rides home. Last year, the SoberRide program served 215.

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SoberRide Will Operate This July 4th Weekend

According to the Loudoun Times, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program's SoberRide will operate for the July Fourth holiday, a time when many adults consume alcoholic beverages. That thanks to $31,000 worth of last-minute donations.

"The program, known as WRAP, offers free cab rides for would-be drunk drivers on holidays throughout the year, when people are more likely to engage in drinking alcohol.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 43 percent of traffic deaths in the United States over the Independence Day holiday are alcohol-related.

Last July, 331 people in greater Washington used WRAP’s Independence Day SoberRide program rather than driving home intoxicated.

SoberRide is offered to those who need a lift home in the District of Columbia, a few counties in Maryland, and Fairfax, eastern Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia."

SoberRide provides free cab rides for fares up to $50. To take advantage of SoberRide, call 800-200-TAXI between 10 p.m. July 4 and 6 a.m. July 5.

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St. Patty’s Day SoberRide Program to Provide Free Taxi Rides in Eastern Loudoun

Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the "St. Patty’s Day SoberRide" program will be in operation beginning at 4 p.m. today, Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) and continue until 4 a.m. tomorrow as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday.

During this 12-hour period, area residents celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide phone number, 1-800–200–TAXI, and be afforded a no-cost (up to a $ 50 fare), safe way home. AT&T wireless customers can dial # - TAXI for the same service. Local taxicab companies throughout the Washington-metropolitan area provide this no-cost service to local residents age 21 and older who otherwise may have attempted to drive home after drinking.

SoberRide is offered in eastern Loudoun County and other parts of Northern Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s.

“On Saint Patrick’s Day in this country, over a third of all traffic deaths are caused by drunk drivers,” said Kurt Gregory Erickson, WRAP’s President.

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Sheriff's Office Conducts Sobriety Checkpoint at Cascades Parkway and Church Road

Speaking of driving under the influence (see earlier post today about SoberRide), a sobriety checkpoint held this past Friday night in the Sterling area saw four people arrested for driving under the influence. The checkpoint, held at the intersection of Cascades Parkway and Church Road, had 668 vehicles pass through. A total of 19 vehicles were further screened. Four motorists were charged with DUI.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays.

"Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws," said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson. "If you drink and drive, we're going to catch you," Simpson warned.

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Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day, a time when many partake of too many adult beverages. If this happens to you tomorrow, Dr. Gridlock with the Washington Post reports that SoberRide is available, including here in Loudoun County.

According to the Post, as part of an effort to curb drunken driving, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program will be sponsoring free cab rides on St. Patrick's Day. The St. Patty's Day SoberRide will be available in Loudoun County -- as well as Prince William, Fairfax and Arlington counties and the District of Columbia -- from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday. People wishing to use the service can call 800-200-TAXI and get a free ride, up to what would be a $50 fare. AT&T wireless customers can also dial #TAXI.

Last year, 218 people used SoberRide to get home on St. Patrick's Day. For information, visit www.soberride.com/.

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