Safe Ride program

There's no excuse for driving while under the influence of alcohol. At its core, this is about personal responsibility and making good decisions. But as a society, particularly with the number of young people attending Southeast Missouri State University, it's important to make sure safe transit is available for those who have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol.

Last month Michael Ryan of The Arrow, the Southeast student newspaper, reported on a new pilot program at the university that provides a ride home if a student cannot drive himself or herself.

The Safe Ride program allows students to be picked up downtown by the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority anytime between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. This replaces the WINGS [When In Need Go Shuttle] route.

The pilot program will run through Nov. 2. Dr. Debbie Below, Southeast's dean of students, said the program has been successful but would need some modifications should it continue. Another benefit of the program, she said, was that more students learned about the public transportation options in Cape Girardeau.

Below said the pilot program is being funded by fines, though this would not be a sustainable funding mechanism going forward. She said institutional funding would not be used for the program.

We applaud the university for looking at the best ways to help students, and this community, through safe transportation.

Stories of wrecks and fatalities resulting from drinking while under the influence are heartbreaking. There's absolutely no reason to take the chance. Regardless of age, if you drink, do so responsibly.