In January, student government shut down and took over the Designated Driver Shuttle in response to rules violations by DDS employees. DDS had been on probation since October, when an EMU custodian discovered alcohol containers in the DDS office; this followed a violation in April 2005 when two DDS dispatchers were seen drinking on the job.
This weekend our beloved Drunk Bus resumed service (“DDS re-opens after policy changes,” ODE Feb. 20). The group’s probation ended after a review committee issued a new manual outlining key policy changes it hopes will produce a well-run organization. We applaud these changes because they should help ensure a more efficient and reliable service – one that can indeed help save lives by discouraging drunk driving.
Most notably, the changes require students to provide drivers with a student ID number in order to reduce the number of non-students riding in DDS vans. DDS drivers are allowed to transport up to two non-University students, at their own discretion. This is a logical step. Because the shuttle is a student-funded service, it should be primarily available to fee-paying students.
The manual dictates that van use will be limited to official DDS business, such as transporting riders, picking up supplies, refueling and maintaining the vehicles. Moreover, the policy adopts our Jan. 13 suggestion that DDS employees should record mileage, gas usage and the number of riders (“DDS needs more, better supervision to improve”). Although the policy lacks a provision strictly forbidding stops at Taco Bell and other non-residential locations, these policies should help prevent future personal misuse of DDS vans by staff members.
When transportation needs and alcohol collide, the results can be messy and potentially fatal. The Designated Driver Shuttle is a much-appreciated service for the University community, and creating a clear policy manual was a much-needed change for this previously loosely operated program.
The Drunk Bus is back on track and better than ever
Daily Emerald
February 20, 2006
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