Editorial: STRIPES proposal is right step toward safer streets
Aug. 26, 2008
Year after year, STRIPES works tirelessly to keep Columbia's streets safe by providing free rides home for students to prevent them from driving while intoxicated or riding as a passenger of an intoxicated driver. One of their most difficult obstacles is enlisting enough volunteers to ensure that patrons have a shorter waiting time and therefore are less likely to drink and drive, walk home in an unsafe condition or pay for a taxi home. To solve this problem, STRIPES Director Domingo Pacheco has proposed an initiative to lower the minimum required driving age for student volunteers from 21 to 18 and worked with Avis car rental service to formulate a plan.
Currently, STRIPES volunteers typically work with six cars Thursday through Saturday nights. Under the new policy, STRIPES would use as many as eight vehicles each weekend, making the situation a win-win for Avis and for MU students. As Avis has already approved the proposal, there's only one step left to bring the plan into action: approval by UM system Office of Risk and Insurance Management Director Ed Knollmeyer.
Lowering the required volunteer age to 18 should lead to more volunteers, which means more students driven home safely after drinking at parties, fewer students driving while intoxicated and overall safer streets for Columbia residents. We strongly encourage Knollmeyer to accept the proposal if all safety requirements are made. His signature could help to save lives.
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