Montana Gaming Group

Hats off to Butte's Home Safe program

    Much attention has been directed at the problem of driving under the influence in Montana, and rightfully so. Drinking and driving is a problem throughout the country and can have very tragic ramifications.
    The Montana Legislature has dealt with dozens of bills this session relating in some way to slowing the problem of drinking and driving. One such bill calls for a statewide server-training program, which the Montana Tavern Association is supporting.
    Meanwhile, many state tavern businesses have been doing their part to help curb the problem. One shining example is the Home Safe Program in Butte, sponsored by the Silver Bow Tavern Association. Other sponsors are Thompson's Distributing and Summit Beverage.
    The program provides a free taxi-ride home for those who may have had too much to drink to drive legally. The sponsors pay Mining City Taxi $7 – about the average cost for a ride home in Butte – for every free-ride ticket issued each month.
    Under the program, any bar affiliated with the tavern association can give a customer who believes they are over the legal limit to drive a free-ride ticket and will contact the cab company. The cab driver will give every ticket holder a free ride  home within the city limits.
    The program, which began in November 2008, is gaining in popularity, according to figures provided by Mining City Taxi to a local newspaper. That first November, only five people used tickets for free rides home. Last November, 90 free rides were provided.
    Last December, the cab company recorded 108 free-ride tickets. In January, a record-high 118 free rides were given. In February, 83 rides were given.
    The program has not gone unnoticed by local law enforcement. Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff John Walsh said “it's encouraging to hear that more people are choosing not to drink and drive.”
    So hats off to the Silver Bow Tavern Association's Home Safe Program.
    We've heard that similar programs exist around the state. We hope these programs are growing as well. If you don't have one in your town, contact the Montana Tavern Times. Together maybe we can get one started.