Tavern League of Wisconsin again offering safe rides home this New Year’s Eve

COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. — The Tavern League of Wisconsin is asking people to plan ahead and make sure they have a safe ride home after ringing in the new year.

More than 2,000 Tavern League member establishments are again offering free rides home this year. Last year, the program provided more than 42,000 rides; since 2004, it has provided more than one million rides.

“Within the year, we’ve given out 90,000 rides, which is a lot of rides, and we are involved in 62 counties and we are working with the Lyft program so the Lyft program and the Dane County Tavern League can work close together,” said Debbie Stueber, the owner of Doubledays bar near Cottage Grove.

READ MORE: Police and bars prepare for New Year’s Eve crowds in downtown Madison

Wisconsin has seen a 44% decrease in operating while intoxicated convictions since 2007, which the Tavern League credits in part to the SafeRide program. The program’s nearly $1 million cost is shared by Tavern League members and funds generated by surcharges on OWI convictions.

Click or tap here to learn more about the program. For a list of Tavern League member establishments, click or tap here.