Spring Break
Program gives rides to students in need
Andres Cuevas Jr.
Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: News
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Usually operating from Thursday to Saturday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m, Safe Rides offers Sacramento State students a ride home after partying.
Though most of the students using Safe Rides are out drinking, one doesn't have to be intoxicated to get a ride.
"You don't have to be too drunk to drive. You can be on a bad date, have a flat tire, lose your keys, anything," said Bobby Lister, senior business administration major and coordinator of Safe Rides.
All the student needs is his or her OneCard and a phone to call 278-TAXI.
According to Ralph Hingson in the several editions of his book "Magnitude of Alcohol-Related Mortality and Morbidity Among U.S. College Students," 1,700 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.
Rachelle Kerns, Safe Rides assistant coordinator, said that she realizes how important a role Safe Rides plays for many students.
"The point of the program is to give students another option instead of choosing to drive home drunk. It is strictly volunteers and people doing it on their own time," Kerns said.
Volunteers at Safe Rides usually represent a club or organization from campus. They use their own cars to pick up the students and take them to their home. At the end of the night, the volunteers are paid for the gas that they used.
If a club or organization volunteers for five nights in the semester, they earn an extra $500 of funding from the U.S. Department of Commence.
Jasmin Aleman, member of Movimiento Estudantil de Aztlan, said she has volunteered for Safe Rides, as well as used it on several occasions.
Though she thinks the program is positive, Aleman still feels that some changes could make it even better.
"Safe Rides is a good program for all students, but it's also somewhat limited due to funding and that's too bad because it's such a useful program," Aleman said.
Safe Rides receives its funding from ASI, but counts on people working voluntarily.
Mary Stowes, a graduate student in counseling who also volunteers at Safe Rides, feels that it is a great alternative for students.
"I am glad students call in and use the program. At the residence halls, I always tell the students about Safe Rides and to use it if they have to," Stowes said.
Francisco Mata, sophomore communications major and also member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, said he does safe rides to help out his friends.
"Several of my friends have gotten DUI's and since I don't drink, I'm glad to volunteer for Safe Rides and offer help to them and others," Mata said.
Andres Cuevas can be reached at acuevas@statehornet.com
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