Designated Driver

There are all sorts of reasons to use Ride Share. Obviously, to get from one place to another when you are without a car or maybe don't have a driver's license; however there's another reason, which is not only wise but admirable. The person has, or plans to consume alcohol.

RS drivers "serve and protect" their communities by often keeping those who have imbibed from getting behind the wheel of a car. Although it requires the ordering up of a ride, the saying "friends don't let friends drive drunk" is sometimes carried out by the ordering of a ride home for said friend. With that, I want to share a few other situations I have encountered on the subject.

• I'm pinged to pick up Meredith. It's mid-afternoon and she wants a ride to a sports bar. I know where it is and as we drive, I ask her about the significance of its name. She's not sure but makes a guess. We proceed to talk sports for a while (a very short while as I'm far from sports savvy). As we pull into the parking lot, it looks as though the bar is closed. "You must be opening up today," I say. "Oh no, I don't work here." she says. "I was in a dart tournament last night and had more to drink than I planned to. I'm just here to pick up my car.... that's it over there" (the only car in the lot)  You Go Girl!
• It's a Friday night and I'm pinged to pick up Marvin and his wife. They come out to the car carrying styrofoam cups (with lids even). Happy Hour has evidently begun. They get in and we route to a nice restaurant. We have a great conversation on our way there and as they exit the vehicle, Marvin hands me a couple bucks and says "Maybe we'll see you again in a few hours." I thank him and reply, "No Sir, not me... but someone will definitely get you home later this evening. Enjoy yourselves."
• Ping comes to pick up Nathan. On our way to his destination he tells me he has no driver's license due to an OWI. I reply, "Well, that's unfortunate for sure, but at least there's RS for you to get around and you've learned from your mistake."  He says, "You'd think so wouldn't you ... but I've had three -  you're taking me to see my probation officer." 
• It's mid-morning when I get pinged to pick up Ben. He gets in the front seat next to me (some folks do this, while others prefer to sit in back and feel chauffeured, I suppose). "Going to work?" I ask. "Yeah. I had a client in town last night and didn't get home until 2:00 am. I have a breathalyzer on my car and I knew better than to even try to start it. I'm still over the limit."  Know Thine Self. Perhaps he'll be spared the probation officer phase of life.
• Then there is Rodney. He needs a ride to the bar he has recently purchased, is renovating and will open soon. It's quite a ways from his residence and in the time it takes to get there, he shares with me,his story as to why he doesn't drive. He admits to getting drunk frequently, having been arrested, appearing in court and spending some extended time in the county jail. He's had the same judge on several occasions and has been promised "prison" for his next offense. Given the choice between giving up alcohol or giving up driving, he chose driving. "I sold my car. No insurance, no gas... I just RS everywhere. I'm not even tempted to drive." So though not the resolve many of us would make, it is his life and his choice. 

These aren't my only alcohol related stories and since I don't drive late night, I avoid the bar close crowd. By 2:00 am, I've been asleep in my bed for a long while, which is just fine with me. Someone else will get the ping to take the rider home. I'll be more than happy to drive them back to get their car the next day and sincerely commend them for being responsible. So many lives have been ruined, altered or lost, due to drivers drinking and using poor judgment.... innocent victims, their families, not to mention the drivers themselves. 

If you are one who drinks away from home on occasion, do mankind a favor and download a RS app to your phone right now. You never know the life you may save - it could be your own.