Officials with Evesham Township are trying to get the word out to residents that the Evesham Saving Lives program is experiencing an interruption in service.
The program, currently run under the nonprofit Evesham Saving Lives Foundation, was launched in 2015 as a way to provide residents who had been enjoying alcoholic beverages at Evesham’s bars and restaurants with a free ride home between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Although the program originally used a combination of shuttles provided by the township and drivers from the Sober Sam designated driver service, the foundation running the program later partnered with private ride-sharing service Uber.
The program also later extended to neighboring Voorhees Township, with residents from either town able to partake in the free rides from establishments to their homes in either municipality.
However, officials with Evesham Township now say the service has been interrupted, and officials also say they weren’t made aware of the cause or given any forewarning.
Attempts by The Sun to contact the Evesham Saving Lives Foundation and Uber were also unsuccessful.
Also, as noted by township officials, as the program is run by the nonprofit Evesham Saving Lives Foundation, township officials have no control over any interruptions in service and cannot directly solve whatever issues might be afflicting the program.
Regardless, township officials say they are aware of the inconvenience the disruption in service has caused residents.
To that point, Mayor Jaclyn Veasy and Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper say they are exploring additional options to keep residents safe, such as partnering with the Hero Campaign – an organization that also utilizes a designated driver program in other counties.
“Having lost loved ones in a drunk driving accident, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring everyone has a safe ride home for their own safety, and for the safety of their neighbors,” Cooper said.
According to officials, the Hero Campaign has run for nearly two decades and rewards designated drivers.
However, Veasy said she also hopes the nonprofit Evesham Saving Lives Foundation will be able to continue its normal program soon.
“We will always look to find ways to team up with any organization that is willing to help us keep Evesham families safe, and look forward to an anticipated announcement of our efforts this summer,” Veasy said.
Evesham Township Chief of Police Christopher Chew said he also wanted to once again remind Evesham residents to continue utilizing a designated driver or use other ride-sharing applications if they are ever faced with a decision about whether or not they drive home after consuming alcohol.
Chew and the ETPD have also been proponents of the Evesham Saving Lives program and helped promote the program throughout its four years of service.
“We need to maintain our community’s ongoing commitment to decreasing DWI arrests, crashes and making sure that everyone is safe to travel on our roadways,” Chew said.
To that point, officials ask residents to drive responsibly and know that the township government is “committed to exploring all programs that serve to protect Evesham’s residents and visitors from the tragic consequences associated with driving under the influence.”
