Though not completely successful its first go ’round, the “Grab-A-Cab” and designated driver programs organized by the district Substance Abuse Prevention (SAP) team are being resurrected.
“We wanted to get the ‘Grab-A-Cab’ going again,” said Cst. Caroline Spencer who is the OPP liaison with the SAP team. “We wanted to do it before the bass tournament because it is such a big event.”
The program works like this:
Participating bars will hand out coupons worth $5 off cab fare with North Air Taxi to patrons who have drank too much to be able to drive. With the designated driver program, drivers will receive free non-alcoholic beverages (usually fountain pop or coffee) from participating bars.
“The main goal of the program is to promote safe and sober driving, and responsible drinking habits,” explained Craig Sigurdson of the Royal Canadian Legion bar and one of the program participants.
Other participating bars include the Rainy Lake Hotel, Warp 9 and La Place Rendez-Vous.
The program was started approximately two years ago, but support fizzled out partly because many vendors thought it was only to be implemented during the holidays rather than year round.
The Legion was one of the original participants and continued the effort even though other establishments stopped.
“We’ve been using it solid for the last couple of years,” said Sigurdson. “It’s been totally successful. To the point that they [customers] know it’s there and ask for it.
“It’s good for us serving too,” he continued, “because we know they’ll get home safe.
“It’s definitely a good thing for all bars in Fort Frances to get involved in,” he said, indicating there are a few who are not yet on board. “It’s an opportunity for people to get home safe.
“If everybody uses it, it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
“For us, our main concern is safety of our patrons,” said Jean-Marc Blanc of La Place Rendez-Vous. “To make sure people are not drinking and driving.”
Blanc explained that his establishment will make more of an effort to promote the program, including handing out the coupons to patrons at their tables. They already have an ongoing Designated Driver free beverage policy.
The bars, SAP and North Air Taxi all buy into the program to keep it on its feet, though the majority of funding comes from SAP funds.
According to the OPP, last year there were 64 people charged with impaired driving offences.
“Hopefully we’re going to reduce the number of impaired driving offences,” said Cst.. Spencer. “Sixty-four driving offences in Fort Frances. That’s a lot.”
Also to be implemented in the near future is a phone card program which the bars and OPP will hand out. The card will be a fifty cent card people can use to make two phone calls.
“They’re to encourage people to call for a sober ride home,” said Cst. Spencer.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
