A USERS' GUIDE TO RIDE SERVICE PROGRAMS. FINAL REPORT

Ride Service Programs, frequently called safe ride or dial-a-ride programs, attempt to reduce alcohol-related crashes by providing alternative transportation to drinkers who would otherwise drive while intoxicated. This study identified 325 Ride Service Programs across the country; 52 were studied in detail through telephone discussions and review of written materials. This report discusses the operation of Ride Service Programs: staffing, the types of transport used (cabs, buses, tow trucks, etc.), procedures for delivering rides, funding, etc. It also discusses problems programs may encounter and possible solutions for them. Twelve programs that were visited are described at length. Four major conclusions are reached. First, Ride Service Programs are widely available: they exist in many states, many operate every day, etc. Second, they are relatively easy to develop and maintain: many types of organizations operate them, there are many sources of funding, etc. Third, Ride Service Programs are used frequently - some provide hundreds of rides per year. Fourth, the effectiveness of these programs in reducing Driving While Intoxicated remains unknown. Topics for future research are suggested. The introduction describes two other reports about this study: a directory listing 325 programs and a technical research report that provides details about the methods that were used.

• Corporate Authors:

  Harold Russell Associates, Incorporated

  8 Winchester Place
  Winchester, MA  United States  01890

  Social Science Research and Evaluation, Incorporat

  4 Austin Park
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Harding, W M
  • Apsler, R
  • Goldfein, J
• Publication Date: 1988-1

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; References;
• Pagination: 158 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Countermeasures; Drunk driving; Finance; Financing; Future; Intoxication; Measures of effectiveness; Operations; Paratransit services; Prevention; Research; Utilization
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Future research; Operational analysis; Ride service programs
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00476005
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-807 291 8605-8801
• Contract Numbers: DTNH-22-86-R-07309
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM