SafeRides ready to go again

by Allison Gossett, staff writer

The SafeRides program will begin serving JMU students this weekend, providing rides from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights six cars will be in operation to pick up students in need of a ride home. 

Whether a student has had too much to drink or their ride has left, students can present the SafeRides driver with their JAC Card, and the student is guaranteed a ride home. 

The program will provide rides to JMU students only, and will not be driving passengers to anywhere other than their residence.  One feature of the transportation service is that it is free of charge. Senior John Robinson, executive director of SafeRides, explained the purpose of the program.

“SafeRides is designed to make the JMU community safer by providing free, reliable and safe rides to students without transportation or incapable of driving due to a number of circumstances,” Robinson said. 

The program has been in the works for almost three years now. It all began when the group’s founder, JMU alum Lyndsey Walter-Thomas, was inspired by the Carpool program at Texas A&M University, and began approaching people about beginning a similar program at James Madison.  Since then, its members have organized a number of fund raising events to get this program up and running. 

Fund raising has included a date auction, selling T-shirts, writing letters to encourage donations from friends and family of members, and an event called One Night, One Ride, One Life held each year to educate the student body on the dangers of drunk driving and the value of a program like SafeRides. 

This year’s One Night, One Ride, One Life took place on Monday. Exit 245 and the Breakdance Club performed for this event.  In addition to these acts, a representative from Alcohol Action Safety Program spoke about the common misconceptions driving after drinking.

 SafeRides member, junior Amy Scriba said,“It can never be stressed enough how dangerous drunk driving is.  The ASAP representative did a great job of explaining the repercussions of getting behind the wheel after drinking, and hopefully her words will encourage people to make smart decisions and utilize the SafeRides program.”

Professor Aimee Brickner is the faculty advisor for SafeRides and she said she is excited to see all of the organization’s hard work pay off.

“This has been such a long process, and I’m so happy to see it come to fruition!  We had a really difficult time finding cars, insurance, sponsors, etc.” said Brickner.  “While the university has been open to talking about the concept of SafeRides, they were concerned about liability so the SafeRides executives had to work hard to address all of their concerns and show them how positive this organization would be for JMU.”

The SafeRide’s office, donated by the Health Center is located in the Health Center’s annex. While they have been provided with corporate donations, the program would not be possible without the dedication of the members.  Junior Internal Director for SafeRides, Sam Payne, maintains that the people who spent so much time to make this vision a reality are responsible for its success.

“I cannot even begin to explain how much dedication our members have.” Payne said.

For junior Jenny Carver, being involved in an organization like Saferides is ideal. 

“SafeRides is here to provide JMU students with safe alternatives.  I’m so proud to be involved in an organization that is making such a difference in the lives of students.”