2008 Woodie Awards
Program hits roadblock
Moenster, John
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
The Student Senate Safe Rides pilot program, set to launch Feb. 29, has put on the brakes after a recent meeting between the Safe Rides committee and University administrators.
Administrators have identified three main areas of concern about the project: proper training, adequate supervision and appropriate insurance coverage.
"There's more involved than just giving rides," University general counsel Warren Wells said. "Volunteers may need to be able to recognize, for example, the signs of alcohol poisoning and be able to differentiate between where someone needs a ride home or if someone is in trouble."
Wells said there also needs to be someone who is properly trained at a higher level than the volunteers to understand potential problems. This person would need to be on duty during an evening of operation to provide adequate supervision of the program and to be available to answer questions from drivers out in the field.
Wells also said the University doesn't feel comfortable supporting the Safe Rides program unless it is covered under some form of liability insurance. This is for the protection of the volunteers and the University because the program would be funded by Senate and would be promoted as a University activity.
Although the Safe Rides program would have the rental cars insured by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Wells said that
Please see RIDES, Page 7
Continued from Page 1
would not be adequate coverage.
"That's fine as far as something in nature of a car wreck," Wells said. "However, we need to look at the broader picture. When a volunteer driver determines that someone is impaired enough to receive a ride, but it's OK to just drop them at home, that's a judgment call, and if that turns out to be the wrong call, the rental car insurance won't be effective. That's just not what it's there for."
Wells said alcohol poisoning, death and serious injuries can and might occur. Wells said that when a driver drops off someone who is intoxicated, it might be a life-or-death choice.
Administrators have identified three main areas of concern about the project: proper training, adequate supervision and appropriate insurance coverage.
"There's more involved than just giving rides," University general counsel Warren Wells said. "Volunteers may need to be able to recognize, for example, the signs of alcohol poisoning and be able to differentiate between where someone needs a ride home or if someone is in trouble."
Wells said there also needs to be someone who is properly trained at a higher level than the volunteers to understand potential problems. This person would need to be on duty during an evening of operation to provide adequate supervision of the program and to be available to answer questions from drivers out in the field.
Wells also said the University doesn't feel comfortable supporting the Safe Rides program unless it is covered under some form of liability insurance. This is for the protection of the volunteers and the University because the program would be funded by Senate and would be promoted as a University activity.
Although the Safe Rides program would have the rental cars insured by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Wells said that
Please see RIDES, Page 7
Continued from Page 1
would not be adequate coverage.
"That's fine as far as something in nature of a car wreck," Wells said. "However, we need to look at the broader picture. When a volunteer driver determines that someone is impaired enough to receive a ride, but it's OK to just drop them at home, that's a judgment call, and if that turns out to be the wrong call, the rental car insurance won't be effective. That's just not what it's there for."
Wells said alcohol poisoning, death and serious injuries can and might occur. Wells said that when a driver drops off someone who is intoxicated, it might be a life-or-death choice.
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