Although best practice dictates that patrons should never reach a state of intoxication, there are occasions when this does happen, and you need to practice due diligence to ensure they get home safely.
Below are designated driver services in British Columbia that offer safe ways to get patrons home. Check first to find out when they are operating and be sure that all your staff know the options available for patrons.
Across BC
Operation Red Nose
Operation Red Nose operates in select Canadian communities over the holiday season. The service is free, with any donations going to local charities. Telephone: Check the website for phone numbers for your community.
The 2011 Operation Red Nose BC campaign offers service in Abbotsford-Mission, Chilliwack, Comox Valley, Delta-Richmond, Kamloops, Langley-Surrey, Nanaimo, North Shore, Prince George, Ridge-Meadows, Tri Cities, and Williams Lake.
Operation Red Nose is hosted by community non-profit organizations that work with youth or amateur sport. Call 1-800-463-7222 for details about how your community can participate.
BCAA
BCAA’s Safe-Ride-Home Service allows BCAA members one Safe-Ride-Home call per year for the driver and his/her vehicle that counts as one of their annual service calls. There is no extra charge to members for the service as long as the distance of the requested tow is within the maximum towing distance allowed at his/her level of membership. Members can pay the per-kilometre extra charge for a longer tow. Telephone: 1-800-222-4357 (Note: BCAA membership number required)
Taxi
Taxi Guy is a nationwide network of taxicab companies linked together through one toll-free phone number. TAXIDOLLARS can be purchased online for patron transportation and posters can be downloaded from the website. Telephone: 1-888-TAXIGUY
#TAXI provides direct access to the first available taxi company or one of choice in the area by calling #TAXI (#-8-2-9-4) from a cell phone anywhere in Canada that taxi service is available. A fee between $1.25 and $2.00 per call is charged, depending on the cell phone carrier, or users can download the free #TAXI mobile app from the site to launch a call using the smart phone’s GPS coordinates.
Tow Trucks
Many towing companies will tow patrons and their vehicle home. Check with your local towing companies to see what services are available for your community.
Public Transit
Many areas offer special holiday service, and some provide free rides on New Year’s Eve. Check your local services, either on the Web or by calling, to get bus, train or other transit schedules.
- Visit Translink for transit service info and schedules around Metro Vancouver
- Visit BC Transit for communities outside of Metro Vancouver.
In Select Communities
Greater Vancouver
City Ride Service is a fee-based designated driver program serving Greater Vancouver Region customers and their vehicles. Cost is about the same as one way taxi fare plus a $10.00 flat fee. Telephone: 604-288-1881. Communities served: Aldergrove, Burnaby, Cloverdale, Coquitlam, Delta, Ladner, Langley, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadow, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock.
A Safe Alternative provides year-round, book-ahead designated driver service for patrons and their vehicles around Greater Vancouver/Lower Mainland. Rates are approximately 10 – 15% more than a one-way taxi fare. Telephone: 604-566-1564
Kamloops
ZERO Tolerance DD'S is a year-round designated driving service in Kamloops that provides safe and non-judgmental rides home. Telephone: 1-778-220-9376.
Kelowna
Designated Driver Dads get Kelowna youth and their vehicle home safely with this free service. Any donations received go towards gas and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Telephone: 250-862-6096
Prince George
Keys Please originated in Calgary and now offers a designated driver program for drivers and their vehicle in Prince George. Rates are based on the one-way kilometres that will be traveled, with Cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express accepted. Telephone: 1-866-586-KEYS (5397
Victoria
Sober Wheel will drive patrons and their vehicle home or to their destination for less than the cost of a one way taxi fare. Telephone: 250-590-6069
We Drive Victoria offers designated driver and vehicle service for a fee of $15.00. Patrons can pre-book ahead of the evening online or by phone. Telephone: 250-590-6885
If a special occasion or large group event is taking place:
BC Liquor Stores Get Home Safe Program for Events
If a special occasion or large group event is taking place, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch offers event organizers a Get Home Safe transit ticket program for festival patrons. Eligible events are those that benefit a registered charitable organization and are for the purpose of educating consumers about beverage alcohol.
Get Home Safe Community Kit for Event Organizers
ICBC offers a Get Home Safe Community Kit through regional Loss Prevention offices. The kit includes posters, designated driver stickers and other materials to encourage safe driving practices for events attracting at least 250 guests. For Loss Prevention office locations call the ICBC Customer Contact line at 604-661-2800 in the lower mainland or 1-800-663-3051 elsewhere in BC.
