Free Cab Rides Offered on Halloween Weekend to Avoid DUIs

BETHESDA, MD — With Halloween landing on a Monday this year, it's a safe bet that adult parties and drinking will peak on Saturday, Oct. 29. Montgomery County authorities urge revelers to use Sober Ride or another service to get safely home from the bars on Saturday night.

If you plan to celebrate with alcohol on Halloween, include a sober driver in your plans:

• If you will be drinking, designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• When you know you’ll be drinking, leave your keys at home or give them to someone else.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or call SoberRide at 1-800-200-TAXI, for a free ride up to a $30 fare. The free Washington Regional Alcohol Program will be offered from 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Users must be age 21 or older. AT&T wireless customers can dial #WRAP for the same service.

All calls must originate in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, or in the Cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park.

Last year, 412 people in the Washington metropolitan area used WRAP’s Halloween program rather than possibly driving home impaired. The charity also offers its SoberRide program on St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day and the winter holidays this year starting on Dec. 16 and operating through New Year’s Eve.

You cannot reserve a SoberRide or schedule a pickup in advance. To receive a ride, you must call 1-800-200-8294 (TAXI) during the program hours. A SoberRide call operator will direct your request to the correct participating cab company.

Participating Taxi Companies in Maryland:
Barwood, Inc. (Montgomery County)
Silver Cab of Prince George’s County (Prince George’s County)

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