A Directory of Ride Service Programs

Harding, Wayne M.; Apsler, Robert; Goldfein, Jamie · 1987 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This interim report, titled "A Directory of Ride Service Programs," addresses the persistent traffic safety problem of alcohol-related crashes, noting that approximately half of driver fatalities involve alcohol. The authors identify a key barrier to preventing these incidents: intoxicated motorists often drive because arranging alternative transportation is inconvenient or difficult, such as lacking a sober driver or being reluctant to leave their vehicle unattended. To mitigate this, the report catalogs Ride Service Programs that provide safe alternative transportation for intoxicated individuals. The study was conducted by Harold Russell Associates, Inc., under contract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from May 1986 to July 1987. The methodology involved a two-step data collection process. First, researchers gathered approximately 515 leads from sources including newspaper articles, NHTSA personnel, trade organizations, and highway safety researchers. Second, they attempted to verify information by contacting program personnel directly. The directory includes only those programs that were successfully contacted or verified through written information from "parent" programs. The scope was limited to advertised programs easily accessible to potential users, excluding informal services offered by serving establishments. Data collection methods varied from brief telephone contacts to in-depth interviews, written inquiries, and site visits for a subgroup of 52 intensively studied programs. The resulting directory lists 325 verified Ride Service Programs across 44 states and the District of Columbia. The entries provide detailed operational characteristics, including the program sponsor, contact information, operational frequency (year-round versus occasional, such as holidays or proms), and geographic scope (local, regional, or nationwide). The report highlights significant diversity in program structures: transportation methods include taxis, buses, tow trucks, and privately owned vehicles; some programs transport only the rider, while others also tow the rider’s vehicle. Funding models vary, with some services being free, others charging partial or full fees, and sponsors ranging from non-profit organizations and hospitals to profit-making entities. The directory distinguishes between "parent" programs, which serve as models, and "offspring" programs that replicate these models in other locations. The significance of this report lies in its provision of a comprehensive resource for state and local planners aiming to implement or improve alcohol countermeasures. By documenting the variety of approaches, resources required, and operational challenges, the directory facilitates the replication of successful programs. It serves as a foundational reference for understanding the landscape of ride services, supporting efforts to reduce alcohol-impaired driving by making safe alternatives more accessible and convenient for motorists.

Key finding

The directory identifies 325 ride service programs operating in 44 states and the District of Columbia that provide safe transportation alternatives for intoxicated drivers.

Methodology

dataset

Sample size: 325

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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