The safety zone

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 4:39 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION Dec. 20 - 21, 2003

Parties are inevitable over the holidays, but DUIs don't have to be.

Every holiday season, the law firm of Crockett & Myers sponsors its "Home for the Holidays" program, offering free rides to locals who may have had too much of the bubbly and need a way home.

Although the program has been around for years, the law firm added a twist this season, upgrading the program to make it even more appealing to holiday revelers.

"This year, we're giving people free rides home in chauffeur-driven Lincoln Town Cars," attorney Rich Myers said.

Through the program, people who think they have had too much to drink can call a number and get a free ride home, with no charge and no questions asked, Myers said.

Myers said the program has a history of getting hundreds of drunk drivers off the road.

"It saves lives," Myers said.

The program is particularly needed this season, since the recent passing of stricter DUI laws, attorney Jim Crockett said.

"It's now even more critical than ever before that people use our program," Crockett said.

"This year, the new stricter 0.08 DUI law passed by the Nevada Legislature goes into effect and law enforcement officials are predicting that many more people are going to be in need of a ride home in order to be safe."

Crockett said the program helps the community to have a safe holiday.

"It keeps drunk drivers from climbing behind the wheel," he said. "It makes the whole holiday experience safer and more peaceful for our entire community and that's why we do it."

Crockett & Myers is picking up the entire tab for the holiday program, meaning the rides are free to users. Bell Transportation, which is providing the chauffeur-driven Town Cars, is offering the law firm a special rate for the program, Crockett said.

The program began at 5 p.m. Friday and will continue until 5 p.m. Jan. 1.

To dispatch a "Home for the Holidays" program free ride, call 382-HOME or 382-4663.

"All you have to do is remember the number," Crockett said. "Leave everything else to us."