What is a "Safe Ride?"

Purpose

Service Area

Who Drives?

How To Get a Ride

Origin

Impact

Contacts for More Information

What is a "Safe Ride?"

Safe Ride, sponsored by the American Red Cross, is a program run for teens, by teens, that provides free and confidential rides home on weekend evenings throughout the school year—every Friday and Saturday night from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Student Coordinators recruit qualified peers to drive and navigate Safe Ride vehicles and freshmen and sophomores answer phone calls at the base station, the Palo Alto Red Cross building at 400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto. A toll-free line has been set up to make this service completely accessible for any high school student in the Service Area looking for an alternative to driving or riding in an unsafe situation.

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Purpose

To provide an alternative to driving under the influence or riding with someone who is; to change the attitudes of young people about drinking and driving; to offer an opportunity for youth leadership and positive peer influence; and—essentially—to save lives.

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Service Area

Safe Ride will pick up and drop off students in

• Woodside
• Portola Valley
• Atherton
• Menlo Park
• Redwood City
• Palo Alto
• Los Altos
• Los Altos Hills
• Mountain View
• Moffett Field

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Who Drives?

The program is primarily organized and staffed by trained and qualified teens; however, a Safe Ride Trained Adult Volunteer is always present to address concerns and assist in any situation that may arise.

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How to Get a Ride

Call 1-877-753-RIDE between 10:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., Fridays & Saturdays except during school vacations

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Origin

In 1984, students from Gunn High School and Palo Alto High School initiated the Safe Ride Program after some of their peers were involved in a tragic, alcohol-related vehicle collision.

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Impact

Safe Ride has provided up to 500 rides per year. Reports from Safe Ride participants indicate that teenagers have become increasingly aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. In recognition of the program’s impact, Safe Ride has received several community awards including from the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors and the California State Senate.

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Contacts For More Information

Parent Coordinators
Janet Gardiner	650-321-7964
Emily Risberg	650-494-2540
Menlo School Contact
Todd Hardie Director of Community Service Programs	650-330-2001 ext. 2262
Palo Alto Area American Red Cross
Director of Community Partnerships	650-688-0415 ext. 449

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