SAFE RIDE PROGRAM SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY; WILL SOON BE BACK IN SERVICE

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Safe Ride program, initiated by the University of Arkansas' Associated Student Government a year ago, has been temporarily suspended but will be activated again shortly, ASG President Angie Maxwell announced.

The program, designed with student safety in mind, provides free cab rides home for university students on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. According to Maxwell, figures show a 44 percent decrease in DWI citations issued on campus last spring semester, when the program began.

ASG officials decided to terminate the contract with Tony C's Cab Service, who had been providing the rides, after a review of program records, Maxwell said. However, the program itself is not in jeopardy as funding for this semester has already been secured, and several cab companies have expressed interest in bidding for the contract, she said.

During the interim, ASG members encourage all students to refrain from drinking and driving by either designating a sober driver or by using cabs when they have been drinking. The program will resume as soon as possible and a new Safe Ride phone number will be released shortly, Maxwell stated.

###

Angie Maxwell, ASG President, 575-5206

Sandra Sac Parker, University Relations, 575-7943, sandrap@comp.uark.edu