KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
A business organization is continuing the tradition of sponsoring free cab rides on New Year’s Eve to get revelers home safely.
For the past eight years the Kodiak branch of CHARR, that’s the Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retail Association, has been subsidizing taxi rides to help keep the roads free of drunk drivers.
Kodiak CHARR’s director Carmen Lunde explains how it works.
–(CHAR 1 :47 "Every year Kodiak CHAR … he gets you home safely.")
Kodiak Police Chief T.C. Kamai says drunk driving arrests are rare around the New Year’s holiday and credits the New Year’s Eve Cab Program.
— (CHAR 2 :27 "I definitely believe … for the folks in our town.")
Kamai says he doesn’t ordinarily field extra road patrols on New Year’s Eve but that officers are aware that there’s naturally more drinking around the holidays and looking out for the tell-tale signs such as erratic driving.
— (CHAR 3 :25 "We want everyone to be able … in the new year.")
Lunde says people should never drive impaired and that with free cab rides on offer, there’s absolutely no excuse.
— (CHAR 4 :10 "It’s pretty simple, really … not a reason in the world.")
The program runs from 6 p.m. Friday evening through 6 a.m. New Year’s Day.
