DARLINGTON — The Darlington Police Department will be providing a free Safe Rides program for the Darlington Canoe Festival this weekend. Hours of operation will be June 11 and June 12 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. The department is partnering with Lamers Bus Lines, Inc. to have two vans available during those hours. The vans will be available downtown and at the Fairgrounds.   

According to Darlington Police Chief Jason King, the Safe Rides program, which will also be offered at the Lafayette County Fair in July, is possible thanks to a grant the department applied for and received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  

Over the past five years, 72 people have been injured and 6 people have been killed in drunk/drugged driving crashes in Lafayette County. The Safe Rides Program is aimed at making sure the Canoe Festival and Lafayette County Fair remain safe events for everyone by providing free rides home for those who feel they may have had too much to drink.  

There will be two phone lines available for people to call for a ride: 608-726-0242 and 608-726-0247.

While the Safe Rides Program is only available for these festivals, Darlington Police Officers are willing to provide rides home all year long to anyone who has a need. Citizens can call the non-emergency phone line at 608-776-4980 to ask for a ride home from any licensed establishment in Darlington.