MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew LaPlant
561-297-3022, alaplant@fau.edu

FAU Professor Examines Safe Ride Programs as Alternative to Drinking and Driving

BOCA RATON, FL (July 22, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University Professor Sheila Sarkar examined the use of safe ride programs as an alternative to driving while intoxicated. The two studies she conducted, which included 2,000 participants (1,206 male and 744 female), looked at the utilization of these programs in two major cities in California.

Although awareness of the harmful dangers of drinking and driving have become more apparent in the last twenty years, most designated drivers still consume some alcohol. One safe ride program examined included an outside driver with free rides by taxis and volunteers. The other program reviewed offered rides home for both the driver and their vehicle.

The study found that if the current safe ride program had not been an option, 44 percent of those studied would have driven themselves home after drinking. When the participants were asked about having enough control to avoid drinking and driving, 32 percent didn't feel they could make a responsible decision.

"We wanted to bring into focus that the traditional designated driver staying sober is not always true," said Sarkar. "Thus to not have these safe ride programs would be dangerous."

For more information on this study, contact Dr. Sarkar at 561-306-9654 or ssarkar@fau.edu.

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