Ravalli TA's DD program a winner
After a few starts and stops, the Ravalli County Tavern Association has developed a smooth-running designated-driver program that really pays off for participants.
The local tavern association offers designated drivers the chance to win $50 every month, along with a final shot at $1,000 at the end of the year. That's good money for spending the night downing non-alcoholic drinks and ensuring drinking friends arrive home safely.
Spokesman Cal McOmber, owner of the Corvallis Tavern, said the offer has been available for a few years at association bars across the county.
“We started about four years ago and it's getting bigger every year,” McOmber said.
At association bars, bartenders have designated-driver cards that people can fill out as long as they are driving with at least one other person. Each month, the local association draws two cards for the $50 prize, and at the end of the year, one responsible driver wins $1,000.
Earlier this year, Tom LoRock, who frequents the Bum Steer in Florence, walked out the door $1,000 richer. In a feature in a local newspaper a few months ago, co-owner Sue Wilson said the Bum Steer had another $1,000 winner two years ago and has had a number of monthly winners because her bartenders are good about promoting the offer.
McOmber said the Ravalli County Tavern Association started the first designated driver program in the state in 1992, but it didn't get much participation back then. For awhile, they tried the Home Free program, which offered drinkers free taxi rides, but that began to cost too much once gas prices began to climb. Plus, with residents strung out along a long valley, taxi drivers didn't want to make multiple 60-mile trips down U.S. Highway 93.
The program has always paid for designated drivers' drinks but that didn't make much difference to people at only $1 a soda.
“Obviously, we want to keep people coming out to the bars but we want to keep the roads safe,” McOmber said.
The association was able to start the incentive program using membership dues and funding from Zip Beverage and Summit Beverage, each of which donate $1,000 annually. Since then, Coke, Pepsi and Southern Odom Spirits have joined the program to keep it going.
McOmber said other Montana counties are copying the program, and he's had inquiries from out of state.
McOmber said the program is working. In 2010, more than 650 designated drivers filled out cards and took more than 1,800 riders home. He'd like to see more people taking advantage of it.
“It's a win-win deal,” McOmber said. “People can still drink and have a good time and then get home safely.”