Clarksville Transit System Offers 23rd annual “Operation Safe Ride”

New Year’s Eve

Clarksville, TN – For the 23rd straight year, the Clarksville Transit System will offer free bus rides on New Year’s Eve, into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Operation Safe Ride is a five-hour service offering free rides home from any public or private location within the Clarksville city limits. The number to call to get a free ride home is 931-553-2429.

“Our single purpose with this program is to help prevent drunk driving in our region,” said Clarksville Transit Director Jimmy Smith. “We continue to offer Operation Safe Ride to the Clarksville community as a way to give back and help keep our citizens and roadways safe during a key evening that can be particularly hazardous for many.”

Operation Safe Ride runs from 11:00pm Friday, December 31st, New Year’s Eve, through 4:00am Saturday, January 1st, New Year’s Day.

“Last year we transported more than 200 people safely home,” Smith added. “We’ll have between eight and 10 small buses on the road so our response time will be very good. If you even think you need a ride home, or a friend asks you not to drive, don’t hesitate. Just call us and stay on the safe side.”

The holiday season is one of the deadliest and more dangerous times of the year on the roadways, due to an increase in impaired driving. During the 2009-2010 New Year’s holiday, 10 Tennesseans were killed in roadway crashes, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Area and state law enforcement agencies will be conducting sobriety and driver’s license checkpointsthroughout the state over the holiday driving season.

one percent decline from the 306 impaired driving deaths in 2008, and a 19.6% decline from the 377 impaired driving deaths in 2007.

“We’re glad to see that roadway deaths due to impaired driving are on a downward decline,” Smith said. “That’s why we continue to offer Operation Safe Ride. If we can help save just one life, it’s worth it.”