Students who need a ride home after a night of partying but want to avoid legal obstacles can learn more about a safe alternative today in the South Oval.

Student Affairs is sponsoring a promotional event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. educating students about SafeRide, a free mass designated-driving service offered to OU students.

SafeRide was launched in 2004 as a part of the original alcohol policy, said Brandon Brooks, coordinator of special programs for Student Affairs.

"It was recognized that there was a need for a service to provide a safe alternative to driving under the influence or traveling as a passenger with someone who has been under the influence," Brooks said.

Programs like SafeRide are present on college campuses all over the nation. Eleven of the Big 12 schools operate programs similar to OU's SafeRide.

The event in the South Oval is designed to raise awareness that SafeRide exists, and that it is a great way for students to get home safely, said Amanda Pardee, public relations sophomore and co-coordinator of the event.

Pardee said there will be a Norman police officer, an OU police officer and a representative from Student Affairs present to answer questions about SafeRide and DUI checkpoints in the Norman community.

"We will be handing out informational flyers and free Coke products to any student who comes by," Pardee said. "We also will have beer goggles and a small Nerf basketball hoop set up for students to try and make a basket while wearing the goggles."

Pardee said one reason for launching the event is the fact that many students do not know about the SafeRide service.

Caitlin Dempsey, international business sophomore, said she had never heard about SafeRide until this year.

"I have never used SafeRide, but I think it is a neat concept that I would be willing to use if I ever needed to," Dempsey said.

Dempsey said though she is willing to use the service, she has friends who have had bad experiences.

"One time I called SafeRide and had to wait an hour and a half," said Kristen O'Bryant, business sophomore. "I was at Berry and Lindsey and when the SafeRide taxi finally got there. Someone else jumped in and I was left without a ride."

Pardee said the SafeRide drivers are required to check the student's OU ID to make sure it is the same student who called in the ride.

"I guess I would use SafeRide again, just next time I will make sure to get out to the car before someone else does," O'Bryant said. "They need to identify who they are giving the ride to."

SafeRide offers two transportation options to OU students. The SafeRide bus shuttles students from campus, university housing and apartments and greek houses to local night spots. The bus route includes Campus Corner and the area immediately surrounding OU.

The SafeRide taxi service is an on-call transportation service designed to serve students who are not on the bus route. The taxi service will take students anywhere within the Norman city limits.

Both services are free, nonjudgmental and require an OU ID.

"I have used the SafeRide taxi service more than once," said Alex Shumate, film and video studies sophomore. "I have never had to wait more than 15 minutes. It's great."

Since the program was implemented, the number of students pulled over and given DUIs and Public Intoxication tickets has not changed drastically, said OUPD Lt. Bruce Chan.

Pardee said she believes this number will decrease if the program is better publicized.

"We are hoping this promotion educates students about SafeRide and its services so that more and more students will utilize this great program," Pardee said.

SafeRide runs every Thursday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. To contact SafeRide, call 325-RIDE.
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