FEBRUARY 10, 2025|
Photo – Sheridan’s Safe Ride Program logo – Courtesy City of Sheridan
An anonymous Saratoga resident has asked the town to create a program to drive intoxicated people home. The service provides a new take on the term “drunk driving.” During the February 4th Saratoga town council meeting, Town Clerk Jennifer Anderson read a letter from an anonymous resident suggesting the creation of a safe ride program.
The author continued, writing that taxi and Uber services are not available in Saratoga. After a single vehicle crash that resulted in them receiving a Driving while Under the Influence charge, the writer said they contacted the City of Sheridan for information about its safe ride program. Clerk Anderson read from the anonymous letter, in which the author stated they believe a similar program should be instituted in Saratoga.
The anonymous letter-writer referred to Sheridan’s safe ride program as funded by liquor license holders. Bars and other drinking establishments provide intoxicated individuals with a taxi voucher. Afterwards, the taxi company is reimbursed by the city.
The writer mentioned that patrons may receive the taxi voucher for free or for a small fee, and that the city of Sheridan pays the taxi operator $12 per ride, plus a small additional payment for longer distance trips.
Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis said he approves of the idea but doesn’t believe that the town should be required to fund the program.
Acting Police Chief Lieutenant John Moore was asked how many Driving While Under the Influence citations were issued in Saratoga. Lieutenant Moore said the majority of drunk driving incidents occur outside of town.
The Saratoga town council said they will take the matter into consideration.
