SAN ANTONIO – It's the first-of-its-kind service in San Antonio, where if you've had too much to drink, you can get a free ride home on a Friday or Saturday night.
The new service is being provided by volunteers with a group called, Rides Under The Influence.
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They have been operating for the last few months and so far, organizers tell KSAT they have had a positive impact.
Founder of Rides Under the Influence Jeneen Phillips said the group is proud of their progress and as of Friday night, they have gotten 129 people home safely.
"They tell me, nothing's for free. Why would you do this?" said Phillips. "And, I tell them because my family and friends are on these roads and I need them safe."
Phillips said she knows the dangers of drunk driving first hand. She told KSAT that she's been hit by drunk drivers on 6 different occasions and she also lost her 4-year-old niece to a drunk driving accident.
So, now, starting at 10 p.m., every Friday and Saturday night, Phillips and a small group of dedicated volunteers are hanging out at Denny's off of Interstate 10 and Wurzbach, waiting to take calls from anyone who may need a safe ride home.
Felipe Villareal who got a free ride home with the group said he's glad the service is around and couldn't thank the volunteers enough.
"I'm okay," Villareal said. "But at the same time, if they offer the service, why not? (It is better than) getting that $15,000, $18,000 payments."
Those who use the service not only get a free ride home, but volunteers will also pick up their vehicle too, no questions asked.
Brian Marshall is one of the designated drivers who volunteers with the group and told KSAT that he's gotten some interesting calls.
"The guy called and said, "I don't remember how I got home, but thank you for picking me up."
Melissa Menchaca said she wanted to volunteer because the program allows people to do the responsible thing and get a safe ride home, something that wasn't available to her the night she got a DWI and went to jail.
"It's not a hard thing to do if it's free and that's our goal," said Menchaca. "We're trying with all our heart to raise funds. We've tried to do gas cards out of our own pockets."
Right now, the group is working with 30 volunteers, but they are using their own vehicles and paying for their own gas, so they say they could use some help.
If you would like to help or if you need a safe ride home, you can call Rides Under The Influence at 210-999-0200.