With a hope to reduce tragic accidents New Year’s Eve and also encourage Albert Leans to go out, a local taxi company is cooperating with five bars and restaurants to offer a free ride that night.

Sunday, December 30, 2001

With a hope to reduce tragic accidents New Year’s Eve and also encourage Albert Leans to go out, a local taxi company is cooperating with five bars and restaurants to offer a free ride that night.

Joe T. Taxi Service will make its six cabs available for the courtesy ride from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. over the New Year for trips to and from five bars and restaurants.

The participating establishments are Andy’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill, the Eagles Club, the Elks Club, the Moose Club and the Nite Out Lounge.

All taxi rides within the city limits to and from those locations will be paid for by the participating businesses.

Don Shuck, driver manager of Joe T Taxi, coordinated the service starting five years ago. Between 400 and 600 customers used the service last year, according to him.

&uot;I want people to have worry-free drinking,&uot;Shuck said. &uot;Being caught for DWI or involved in an accident will be the worst way to have the New Year.&uot;

Every year, DWI offenses increase sharply during the December holiday season, according to the State Patrol.

In Minnesota, about 35,000 drivers were arrested for DWI offenses last year. The agency said 245 deaths and 4,402 injuries from traffic accidents were attributed to DWI.

Locally, the Albert Lea Police Department handled 454 DWI violations in 1999. The offense can result in up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine, according to the police.

Besides safety, the free-ride program also aims to encourage people to go out and boost the businesses.

Both taxi and dining industries have been suffering from the downward economy. Shuck points out the shutdown of the Farmland Foods imposed a significant damage on the taxi business.

&uot;Many people have stopped going out for eating and drinking recently. That also hurts us,&uot; he said.

Shuck hopes the free taxi program will help more people to celebrate away from their house, and loosen their purse strings.

Jim Hoium, Elks Club manager, is busy with the preparations for the New Year’s Eve party.

The membership-only club will have a dancing party with a live band.

Hoium is uncertain about how much the program contributes to the number of customers or the sales. &uot;But the important thing is that we want them to come out, enjoy themselves and have a safe evening,&uot; he said.