Designated Driver

Establishing a Designated Driver program can be a very simple but powerful way to ensure that individuals drinking alcohol will not be driving, putting themselves and others at risk.  A few simple steps can make this happen and it provides a great opportunity for students, campus representatives and local business owners to work together to do the right thing for the community.

 Students, Faculty-Staff, Community Members

• Contact local bars and restaurants and ask to meet with the manager or assistant manager about establishing some sort of Designated Driver program.
• Discuss the need to take precautions to keep college students, as well as the community, safe.  Also highlight the owner’s with regards to “dram shop” laws, making them accountable for patrons who might leave their establishment impaired and cause a drunk driving crash.  Encourage them to establish a “designated driver” program at their establishments. 
• This could simply mean the following steps would be taken:

-         Anyone who agrees to be a non-drinking, sober driver “register” with their server or the bar tender

-         Those individuals receive a sticker, bracelet or something that indicates that they will not be drinking alcohol

-         Individuals be given free, non-alcoholic drinks during the course of their stay

• Publicly acknowledge the businesses involved in the program and encourage patronage to their establishments.