WE COMMUNITY - Safe T Ride: Keeping drunk drivers off the street

by Krysta Celestine



Drunk driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada, which means, according to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), that you are more likely to lose your life to impaired driving than to being murdered. A startling 187 people are injured each year as a result of drunk driving.

With the holiday season fast approaching, people tend to be more “festive” by indulging a little extra in that holiday cheer. While there is a need for people to drink responsibly, the SafeT Ride program provides a bit of leniency not only during this festive season but all year around.
SafeT ride, a designated driving service based in Scarborough, Ontario, takes the pro-active precautions in keeping impaired drivers off the streets.

The service allows those in a festive mood to enjoy themselves, without the dire consequences of drunk driving. “We like to think of SafeT Ride as a positive alternative to impaired driving,” says Mike Toussaint, who founded the service just over two years ago. “Our goal is to keep intoxicated drivers off the street”.

The unique service differs from a typical cab service in that the impaired driver has the luxury of being a passenger in his or her own vehicle, and avoids the hassle of having to pick up your car the following morning. “We’ll pick you up from anywhere that alcohol is involved”, says Toussaint.

“We go out drinking, and don’t have to worry about getting home… with the RIDE program being around,” says Toussaint, referring to the roadside spot-check program on the lookout for impaired drivers. The service allows you to party without worrying about losing your license, losing your vehicle, or worse—losing yours or someone else’s life.

There is a high demand for the service between Halloween and New Year’s Eve, yet not much of a demand for the service during Caribana time, when people tend to really party. “Perhaps people are not aware [of the service]”, says Toussaint. This is something that he hopes to change.

The service is also reasonably priced—certainly cheaper than a DUI ticket. The team of safe drivers will pick you and your car up, and take you home. The service is provided within the GTA and it surrounding areas. To echo MADD, if you drink, it’s your own business, but when you drink and drive, it become’s everyone’s business.

For more information, call SafeT Ride at 416-438-8356, or email safeTride@bellnet.ca