'Designated Dan' making comeback
Lindsay Graffice
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
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Students have an I.D. card, similar to DBC's, but it's used for more than purchases and proof of identification. On the back of each card is current place of residence. At any point, if a student needs a ride home because they are too intoxicated, the school plans for taxicabs to get them home.
The ride is free, except for the tip. The driver is strictly required to only drive to the address printed on the back of the I.D, even if the student demands to go elsewhere. This eliminates the 1 a.m. McDonald's stop or the occasional swing by the house of a current fling.
With a campus of over 35,000 students, Daytona Beach College has yet to initialize such a program. The college might take a tip from ERAU's program.
This taxi service is only intended to protect students, not to shuttle them around town. So, though they may have to leave their car somewhere, it beats having friends and family worry.
Drunk driving is something that can't be ignored, whether it's among Race Week fans or college students.
According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, last year's DUI arrests during the holiday season among those between the ages of 18-25 were up almost 12 percent. Aside from those sobering statistics, DUI arrests over the course of the year were up as well.
Yet, conversations about weekend activities often include comments such as, "Yeah, I don't even remember driving home."
With Bike Week, Race Week and Spring Break just around the corner, it is a popular time of year for young and old adults to have a few alcoholic beverages and assume that they are okay to drive.
Too many students still think it's never going to happen to them or that they're not over the limit. Would a designated driver program help reduce the problem on campus?
After polling campus opinion, views for such a program were mixed.
"I can't believe no one has come up with anything yet. It would be a good opportunity for those who don't go out and an even better one for those of us who do," said Allicia McFarland.
Another student, Theresa Jones, thought differently, "I really don't think our campus has enough students engaging in clubs and drunk driving to have to create a program that will probably turn into a failure."
Campus statistics based off the 2007-2010 DBC Strategic Plan state that the average age on campus is 25 while the median age is 21. Both ages fall within the range of those receiving an increasing number of DUIs.
For those who do enjoy a weekend of fun and drinking, a program like this could create peace of mind for everyone. Some say DBC could easily to set up the classic "Designated Dan." Hiring students to be designated drivers will give job opportunities to those who need it and also give others a safe ride home.
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