Greenwich Safe Rides to Resurrect Friday, Feb. 6

Safe Rides will be resurrected on Friday, Feb. 6 from 10:00pm through 1:00am.

For a safe ride with no charge this Friday in Greenwich, call (203) 869-8445.

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The Safe Rides poster FSYC members are advertising Safe Rides’ kickoff date, Friday, February 6, with. Credit: Peter Negrea.

Fueled by the efforts of First Selectman Peter Tesei, Greenwich Youth Services Coordinator Jenny Byxbee, and the First Selectman’s Youth Commission (FSYC), Safe Rides is a town-sponsored program that provides teens with anonymous and free rides home on weekends.

Since its inception in 1982, Safe Rides has been geared toward reducing the dangers of teenage drinking and driving.

“Safe Rides is a necessary and valuable tool in our community,” said FSYC member Alex Buffone.

“It is crucial for us to reinstate the program before something tragic happens… In a survey I conducted for Greenwich High School, 66% of students that responded stated that they have personally known someone to drink and drive, which is a very scary statistic.”

Fellow FSYC member Peter Negrea voiced similar thoughts.

“This program creates a sense of security for both teens and parents that if all else fails, Safe Rides will always be there,” said Negrea.

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Safe Rides cards FSYC members are spreading around town to promote the Greenwich Chapter of Safe Rides’ first night, Friday, February 6. Credit: Peter Negrea.

Previously run by the American Red Cross, the Greenwich Chapter of Safe Rides recently switched sponsorship to the Transportation Association of Greenwich. Though the future of Safe Rides in Greenwich remains unclear, FSYC member Alex Gibbons is confident in a brighter future for the program.

“I believe Safe Rides will continue to grow as a program and develop from running sporadically on certain nights to a stable and continuous program which other teens could volunteer to support,” said Gibbons. “Ultimately our goal is to be able to run Safe Rides every weekend, as it did before it was shut down, a feat that would require effort on behalf of the community but would pay off in the long run.”

See also:

Greenwich First Selectman Spends Saturday Night with Safe Rides

End of the Road for Greenwich Safe Rides?

Reaction at Greenwich High School to Closing of Safe Rides

UPDATE: Volunteer Drivers Sought to Provide “Safe Rides” after Sr Prom

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