From Jason King, Chief of Police
Darlington Police Department
With no drunken driving arrests or crashes during the time period the free taxi services were availed to the public, the Darlington Police Department considers its first ever Safe Rides Program during the Darlington Canoe Festival to be a success. A total of 86 people took advantage of the taxi services, which were provided by Al's Trucking Company. Funding for the taxis was provided through a grant the police department received from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The taxi service was only one component of the Safe Rides Program. Education was the second with over 4,300 flyers and posters being distributed in the region in an effort to heighten the awareness of Darlington area residents about Lafayette County's higher than average alcohol related crash rates. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Lafayette County's eight-year traffic fatality rate is higher than the state average. Of those crashes, 53 percent were alcohol-related, which is also higher than the state average of only 40 percent.
I am hopeful the department will be able to acquire funding in the future as well to continue the success of the program.
Darlington Police Department
With no drunken driving arrests or crashes during the time period the free taxi services were availed to the public, the Darlington Police Department considers its first ever Safe Rides Program during the Darlington Canoe Festival to be a success. A total of 86 people took advantage of the taxi services, which were provided by Al's Trucking Company. Funding for the taxis was provided through a grant the police department received from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The taxi service was only one component of the Safe Rides Program. Education was the second with over 4,300 flyers and posters being distributed in the region in an effort to heighten the awareness of Darlington area residents about Lafayette County's higher than average alcohol related crash rates. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Lafayette County's eight-year traffic fatality rate is higher than the state average. Of those crashes, 53 percent were alcohol-related, which is also higher than the state average of only 40 percent.
I am hopeful the department will be able to acquire funding in the future as well to continue the success of the program.
