Free cabs offered on the fourth of July

About 51 percent all deaths on the road during Independence Day are alcohol-related, according to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program a public-private partnership working to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington-metropolitan area.

To combat the problem and try to bring down the this year’s statistics, the program will offer free cab rides between 4 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday, stated a WRAP press release.

During the 12-hour period, people who find that they have celebrated a little too much can call SoberRide toll free at 1-800-200-TAXI for a ride costing up to $50, the release stated.

AT&T wireless customers can dial #-TAXI for the same service. Local taxicab companies throughout the Washington-metropolitan area provide this no-cost service to local residents age 21 and older who might be tempted to drive home after drinking, the release stated.

SoberRide is offered in Virginia, Maryland and The District of Columbia.

This year’s sponsors include AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, ExxonMobil, GEICO and Red Top Cab of Arlington.

Participating taxicab companies include Alexandria Yellow Cab, Barwood; Fairfax Yellow Cab; Loudoun Yellow Cab; Manassas Cab Company; Red Top Cab; Silver Cab of Prince George’s County; Taxi Transportation Services; and Yellow Cab of Prince William County.

Since 1993, WRAP’s SoberRide program has provided 40,844 free cab rides home to would-be drunk drivers in the Greater Washington area, the release stated.

For more information, visit WRAP’s web site at http://www.wrap.org.