DARLINGTON — The Darlington Police Department has received a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to provide a Safe Rides Program during the Lafayette County Fair. 

From 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, July 14, 15, and 16, two vans marked with TAXI will be available to provide rides home from fair events, taverns, or any other location within the city. The rides are free. People who need a ride can flag down one of the taxis or call 608-726-2106 or 608-726-2094. 

Impaired driving crashes in Lafayette County accounted for nearly half of all traffic fatalities in the county over the past five years, which is a crash rate that is higher than the state average of roughly 30%. The Darlington Police Department hopes those who partake of festivities during the Lafayette County Fair will take advantage of the free rides being offered. Fair-goers should never drink and drive. If the taxis are tied up, people may call the Police Department at 608-776-4980 and an officer will provide a ride home if available.