ALEXANDRIA - House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran helped launch the “SoberRide Free Cabs” program for St. Patrick’s Day in order to reduce drunk and dangerous driving. Delegate Moran joined representatives of the Alexandria Police Department, the Virginia State Police, and Red Top Cab service at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub in Alexandria to announce the program. The program is available in the Greater Washington area and is offered by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

The St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program will operate between 4 p.m. today (March 17) and 4 a.m. Tuesday as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday. During this 12-hour period, area residents celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide phone number 1–800–200–TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to a $50 fare), safe way home.

“Too many Virginians are hurt each year because of the preventable tragedy of drunk driving,” said Delegate Moran. “I’m proud to join with the regional alcohol program to launch this program and provide free cab rides on St. Patrick’s Day that will reduce drunk driving on our road ways.”

Delegate Moran has worked for years to reduce underage drinking and drunk driving, including authoring Virginia’s felony driving under the influence law (HB1812, 1999). He has been recognized as Mothers Against Drunk Driving “Legislator of the Year” and received the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) Public Policy Award.

“People might be surprised to know that more Americans are killed by drunk drivers during St. Patrick’s Day than on New Year’s Eve,” said WRAP President Kurt Gregory Erickson.