4 ms·

Idea to prevent drinking and driving

4 points by freeride 11y ago

Hopefully this is the right place to post this. If not please let me know a better place. I have been working on a concept/potential idea to help prevent drinking and driving in my county, Harford County, MD (and potentially elsewhere). I'm currently looking for feedback to see if the idea could gain traction and if it would be used. I am sure there are things I need to clarify on it and possibly change. My goal is to submit it to the county government after I get some statistics from the survey and feedback from here. Please let me know what you guys think of it! http://freeridemd.com

PythonDeveloper 11y ago
From your document: "This will allow them to determine if they are able to drive. They can then choose to receive a ride or drive home themselves" This is unrealistic... Drunks are invincible, always right, and "good to drive". I applaud your effort, but it seems to me that legislating that bars be required to valet cars, and keep the keys if the driver is drunk when they leave (or call the police) would be better. Requiring a drunk to take any responsible action is unreasonable, as they are not capable of rational thinking. If you're going to sell drugs, and that's what alcohol is, you should be required to pay the costs of the affect it has on society. Initial enforcement of the laws (i.e. see something, say something) should fall upon those causing the problem; bars, stores that sell liquor, even party hosts. However, you can easily pass the cost on to the user, as they just don't care what it costs. As long as the rates for private liquor purchases rise at the same rate as the cost of a drink at a bar, it will not be an issue. I suggest that if you do go this route, and the city won't pay for it, you get the bar owners to pay for it.. They can charge the customers card for the ride and, since the patron is drunk, they probably won't remember authorizing it. I just can't see this getting traction from the municipalities, but I can see you getting support from the politicians to make the establishments bare the cost of this program. Cheers, and Good Luck! p.s. A "Rider" tax on liquor sales could also pay for this, and have it go into a fund that pays for the service to operate. Taxes would have to be on bar sales and liquor sales from stores, including wine and beer sales to individuals for this to add up to enough to make it realistic.
byoung2 11y ago
When you expand...In big cities, you'll need to get the drinker's car home. In Los Angeles, parking costs and fines will dwarf the cost of a taxi home and back in the morning if you leave your car. If you park on the street, you also run the risk of being towed if your meter expires or there is no overnight parking.
- freeride 11y ago
  This is exactly what I am looking for with feedback! Originally this was meant for a rural area where parking isn't usually an issue. However, my first thought to tackle this problem would be to actually have two drivers who ride together. If this situation comes up, the 2nd driver could drive their car home for a fee. This could help fund some of the costs as well. Lastly, this could help keep everyone safer and prevent some of the issues that arose with Uber.
byoung2 11y ago
Also interesting: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/06/uber-actually-reduces-drunk-driving-deaths.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/06/uber-actual...
- freeride 11y ago
  That is a great article! Just imagine how many more people would choose not to drive if it were free! At least that is my hope!
navd 11y ago
It sounds like an idea everyone would love in place however the major issue I see is the funding section. I don't think it's fair to expect the dui offender to drop a deposit and be expected to pay for all gas and expenses. Do you know how expensive getting a dui is already?
- freeride 11y ago
  I guess what I was going for was more of an option rather than a requirement. For instance, if a person who has been vetted by a professional and doesn't have an issue, they could do this instead of the interlock. The hope is that rather than helping one person not drink and drive, it would help many people not drink and drive. I agree that it sounds expensive. I am hoping to figure out other ways to receive funding.
deadowl 11y ago
Really good way to prevent drunk driving: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device I've also seen breathalyzers in some bars where you can check your BAC before going anywhere.
- freeride 11y ago
  I agree with this, however one issue is the cost of the interlock. It is about 80 bucks a month from what I can tell. Usually, the only people that I am aware of with the interlock are people that are receiving punishment. I hope to prevent someone getting into that situation to begin with! : ) I think the breathalyzers in the bars is great!
Gustomaximus 11y ago
I suspect people would be hesitant to let drunks in their car as drunks tend to throw-up. I'd twist this idea to something that is not uncommon in Australia. Often popular late opening bars have mini-buses that drive people home in the last hours or so until closing. Could you pool a few bars to fund (or local council funded) to do a booze bus that does this. Possibly have volunteer drivers but if a few bars chip in you could split costs to keep this low. Possibly have local council allow bars that contribute to this stay open an hour later type deal to incentive funding. Another problem is people don't like leaving their cars to get the next day. In Sydney we have/had a service where small scooters come and drive you home in your own car (the scooter fits in the car boot): http://www.scooterangels.com.au/ http://www.scooterangels.com.au/ It might be easier to get volunteers for this as you're not putting drunks in your own car + people get their car in the morning. Lie above you might be able to get some bars/council to fund if you want this to be free. In general I'd expect self driving cars to fix this issue over the next 10 years or so.
- freeride 11y ago
  Getting a 'FreeRide' vehicle would definitely be on the todo list and that would all come down to funding. I do hope to receive funding from bars/restaurants as well, however I don't want to require it. It is a great idea and something I will be considering as I determine the best location for the trial run! I hopefully addressed the overnight car issue with my recent update. I have heard some places around here (Ocean City, MD) use the scooter idea, but it might be a little troublesome in rural areas where the travel distance is greater. I can't wait for automated cars to be on the roads. Less accidents, less traffic, no parking issues, etc. The future is going to be great!
freeride 11y ago
I've updated the proposal to address a few of the comments so far! I appreciate all the feedback!

4 points by freeride 11y ago

PythonDeveloper 11y ago

From your document: "This will allow them to determine if they are able to drive. They can then choose to receive a ride or drive home themselves" This is unrealistic... Drunks are invincible, always right, and "good to drive". I applaud your effort, but it seems to me that legislating that bars be required to valet cars, and keep the keys if the driver is drunk when they leave (or call the police) would be better. Requiring a drunk to take any responsible action is unreasonable, as they are not capable of rational thinking. If you're going to sell drugs, and that's what alcohol is, you should be required to pay the costs of the affect it has on society. Initial enforcement of the laws (i.e. see something, say something) should fall upon those causing the problem; bars, stores that sell liquor, even party hosts. However, you can easily pass the cost on to the user, as they just don't care what it costs. As long as the rates for private liquor purchases rise at the same rate as the cost of a drink at a bar, it will not be an issue. I suggest that if you do go this route, and the city won't pay for it, you get the bar owners to pay for it.. They can charge the customers card for the ride and, since the patron is drunk, they probably won't remember authorizing it. I just can't see this getting traction from the municipalities, but I can see you getting support from the politicians to make the establishments bare the cost of this program. Cheers, and Good Luck! p.s. A "Rider" tax on liquor sales could also pay for this, and have it go into a fund that pays for the service to operate. Taxes would have to be on bar sales and liquor sales from stores, including wine and beer sales to individuals for this to add up to enough to make it realistic.

byoung2 11y ago

When you expand...In big cities, you'll need to get the drinker's car home. In Los Angeles, parking costs and fines will dwarf the cost of a taxi home and back in the morning if you leave your car. If you park on the street, you also run the risk of being towed if your meter expires or there is no overnight parking.

freeride 11y ago
This is exactly what I am looking for with feedback! Originally this was meant for a rural area where parking isn't usually an issue. However, my first thought to tackle this problem would be to actually have two drivers who ride together. If this situation comes up, the 2nd driver could drive their car home for a fee. This could help fund some of the costs as well. Lastly, this could help keep everyone safer and prevent some of the issues that arose with Uber.

byoung2 11y ago

Also interesting: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/06/uber-actually-reduces-drunk-driving-deaths.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/06/uber-actual...

freeride 11y ago
That is a great article! Just imagine how many more people would choose not to drive if it were free! At least that is my hope!

navd 11y ago

It sounds like an idea everyone would love in place however the major issue I see is the funding section. I don't think it's fair to expect the dui offender to drop a deposit and be expected to pay for all gas and expenses. Do you know how expensive getting a dui is already?

freeride 11y ago
I guess what I was going for was more of an option rather than a requirement. For instance, if a person who has been vetted by a professional and doesn't have an issue, they could do this instead of the interlock. The hope is that rather than helping one person not drink and drive, it would help many people not drink and drive. I agree that it sounds expensive. I am hoping to figure out other ways to receive funding.

deadowl 11y ago

Really good way to prevent drunk driving: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device I've also seen breathalyzers in some bars where you can check your BAC before going anywhere.

freeride 11y ago
I agree with this, however one issue is the cost of the interlock. It is about 80 bucks a month from what I can tell. Usually, the only people that I am aware of with the interlock are people that are receiving punishment. I hope to prevent someone getting into that situation to begin with! : ) I think the breathalyzers in the bars is great!

Gustomaximus 11y ago

I suspect people would be hesitant to let drunks in their car as drunks tend to throw-up. I'd twist this idea to something that is not uncommon in Australia. Often popular late opening bars have mini-buses that drive people home in the last hours or so until closing. Could you pool a few bars to fund (or local council funded) to do a booze bus that does this. Possibly have volunteer drivers but if a few bars chip in you could split costs to keep this low. Possibly have local council allow bars that contribute to this stay open an hour later type deal to incentive funding. Another problem is people don't like leaving their cars to get the next day. In Sydney we have/had a service where small scooters come and drive you home in your own car (the scooter fits in the car boot): http://www.scooterangels.com.au/ http://www.scooterangels.com.au/ It might be easier to get volunteers for this as you're not putting drunks in your own car + people get their car in the morning. Lie above you might be able to get some bars/council to fund if you want this to be free. In general I'd expect self driving cars to fix this issue over the next 10 years or so.

freeride 11y ago
Getting a 'FreeRide' vehicle would definitely be on the todo list and that would all come down to funding. I do hope to receive funding from bars/restaurants as well, however I don't want to require it. It is a great idea and something I will be considering as I determine the best location for the trial run! I hopefully addressed the overnight car issue with my recent update. I have heard some places around here (Ocean City, MD) use the scooter idea, but it might be a little troublesome in rural areas where the travel distance is greater. I can't wait for automated cars to be on the roads. Less accidents, less traffic, no parking issues, etc. The future is going to be great!

freeride 11y ago

I've updated the proposal to address a few of the comments so far! I appreciate all the feedback!