Safe Rides, sober driver program at Sacramento State, is attracting clubs and organizations to volunteer with a gift of $500 for their contributions to the program.

If an on-campus group volunteers at least six nights within a year, it then becomes eligible to receive these funds courteous of Associated Students. Safe Rides is a free, safe, confidential program that offers Sac State students a ride home on the weekends regardless of their inebriation.

In between calls, volunteers can relax, eat pizza, drink soda, play games and watch movies at the Safe Rides office located on the first floor of the union.

Once a call is placed volunteers pick the students up and return them home for the night.

Many organizations volunteer their time to the Safe Ride program at least one night a semester. Athletic clubs, Greeks, social clubs, and other groups on campus enjoy this community service preventing drinking and driving in the community. Recently, in order to attract more volunteers, the $500 reward has been offered and a few groups have already committed.

“We give back to the community and we receive benefits in the process. The money will really help with recruitment and with guest speakers,” Pre Law Fraternity Recruitment Chair Jessica ramirezsaid.

The Pre Law fraternity is not the only group to take advantage of this offer. The women’s rugby team also seeks the rewards. Assistant Safe Rides Coordinator Mario Garcia is excited about this new offer.

“This really motivates everyone. It benefits not only the organization, but the entire community as well,” Garcia said. Garcia and coordinator Shayan Rehman are both new hires to the Safe Ride program.

It is estimated that the Safe Rides program keeps over 1,000 drunk drivers off the streets of Sacramento every year. This is a major contribution to the community and outside sources like Mother Against Drunk Driving are eager to pat Sac State on the back.

“I appreciate and applaud Sac State for what they are doing. It’s understandable that on the weekends sober drivers may be needed and there are not a lot of resources out there. Hats off to Safe Rides!” said Paula Birdsong, executive director of California MADD.

The main goal of Safe Rides is to prevent accidents, DUI/DWI arrests, and death. However, the “Safety Net” this program offers allows students to be picked up for any cause. Examples would be a bad date, late movie, or a broken down car.

Safe Rides officially begins tomorrow night from 10pm until 3am. It operates these hours Thursday-Saturday through the month of May. Many Sac State students utilize this program almost as a routine.

“We never have to worry about finding a sober driver. We know if we get drunk, we can always count on Safe Rides to get us home all right,” sophomore Justin Lyons said.

According to the CSUS Safe Ride website, the current cost for a first time DUI is $5,294. It also sites (Eigen, 1991) “240,000-360,000 of the nations 12 million current undergraduates will die from alcohol related causes.”

“Drinking and driving at Sac State is not obselete, but this program does lower the chance of a drunk getting behind the wheel of a car,” Garcia said.

The number to call for a ride is 1-800-GO-4-CSUS, and to volunteer for Safe Rides call (916) 278-7923.