Free Cab Rides Offered July 4 to Stop Drunk Driving in Bethesda

Bethesda, MD — Don’t end the Fourth of July holiday in handcuffs.

If you choose to drink Monday, designate a driver or call for a free ride from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, which serves Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the 2016 Independence Day SoberRide program will run from 10 p.m. on Monday, July 4, until 4 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday.

“According to government figures, 41 percent of U.S. highway deaths over the July 4th holiday period involve drunk drivers,” said Kurt Gregory Erickson, WRAP’s president. “Worse, more than a fourth of these drivers involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentration levels of .15 or higher.”

To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $30 fare), call 800-200-8294 (TAXI). AT&T customers may dial #WRAP from their wireless phones to reach the service. Do not call a taxi company directly for SoberRide service as the ride will not be covered under this program.

You must be 21 or older to use the SoberRide service.

General SoberRideInformation

WRAP’s SoberRide provides a free cab ride home up to a $30 fare. Callers are financially responsible for anything over $30.

All calls must originate in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland; the cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park in Maryland; the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties in Virginia; and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park in Virginia.

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 six hours of the Independence Day program. A SoberRide call operator will direct your request to the correct participating cab company.

Participating Taxi Companies:

• Alexandria Yellow Cab (Alexandria)
• Barwood, Inc. (Montgomery County)
• Fairfax Yellow Cab (Fairfax County)
• Loudoun Yellow Cab (Eastern Loudoun County)
• Northern Virginia Checker (Prince William County)
• Red Top Cab Company (Arlington County)
• Silver Cab of Prince George’s County (Prince George’s County)
• Yellow Cab of District of Columbia (District of Columbia)
• Yellow Cab of Prince William County (Prince William County)

For more information, visit http://www.soberride.com.