MILFORD, Del. - A Sussex County woman is leading the effort to start a new designated driver service for southern Delaware.
Terry Rogers is forming the Delaware chapter of "Will Be Designated Driver." The non-profit organization, with existing chapters in neighboring states like Maryland and Virginia, offers rides to people who have had too much to drink.
"A lot of times people will chose to drink and drive and hope they don't get caught or hope they don't have an accident because they have no alternatives," said Rogers.
The goal is to launch the program in the Milford area where public transportation and taxicabs are limited. The service would offer rides at $2 per mile, or $4 per mile if a second driver is needed to get the owner's car home as well. Rogers said drivers are trained to transport intoxicated passengers, even if they refuse to pay the fee.
For Rogers, the program is personal; her stepson Keith, 19, and his mother were killed by a drunk driver in December 2000. The driver, who was charged with his fifth impaired driving offense, will likely be released from jail soon after roughly 11 years behind bars, Rogers said.
"When there's a drunk driving crash, the person who dies or is injured is not the only victim," Rogers said. "We were all victims of that."
Staff at Abbott's Grill, a restaurant and bar in Milford, applauded the proposal.
"Probably at least once a week somebody will ask for a cab and we don't really have them," said bartender Nikki Gough.
When it comes to intoxicated customers, Gough has taken away car keys, called friends for rides or even chased after patrons to keep them from getting behind the wheel. The bartender said Milford has no local cab service and the city's removed location from Dover and the beaches deters taxi drivers from making the trip.
Alcohol played a role in 39 percent of deadly crashes in 2010, the most recent numbers available, according to Delaware's Annual Traffic Statistical Report compiled by state police. The numbers do not include crashes handled by municipal police.
Rogers is seeking financial support from corporate sponsorships and grants. She needs at least $30,000 to start up. Costs include vans, insurance and driver salaries. Expanding the service statewide would likely require up to ten vans and $1 million, Rogers said. The goal is to have at least one van up and running by Memorial Day weekend.
