Local bars hand out wristbands, free sodas to designated drivers

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat The Buffet, East Ninth Street, is one of the local bars to be included in Saturday's ASUA Designated Driver Night. The program, which includes many Fourth Avenue bars, provides free soda to all designated drivers.

Well, free soda at least, and only if you are wearing a special wristband.

But that's the idea behind the ASUA Designated Driver Night, the first of its kind organized by student government.

Associated Students Senator Stephanie Lyons said ASUA will provide wristbands for designated drivers and several downtown bars have pledged to offer free sodas to everyone wearing the tags.

Lyons said there will be three tables set up to distribute wristbands: one between O'Malley's and Maloney's, one outside of The Shanty, and one near 3rd Stone, all on North Fourth Avenue.

The Rock and The Rhino Pub, on North Park Avenue and East Sixth Street respectively, will hand out wristbands on their own, Lyons said. The Buffet,538 E. Ninth , is also handing out wristbands on its own.

"This gives you more encouragement to be a designated driver," Lyons said. "We're really trying to promote not drinking and driving."

The tables will be set up from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, and as drivers get their wristbands, they can also enter a drawing for gift certificates from several local businesses.

Lyons said she started this program so it could become a regular event, giving bars the opportunity to take it over on their own.

"It's something we would like to encourage bars to do," she said. "If we show them there is an interest, maybe they will take it on themselves."

Gene Fuller, general manager of Maloney's, said his bar always provides free drinks to designated drivers, but this event helps promote the practice.

"Being in the bar business, we definitely advocate moderation and safe driving," Fuller said.

The owner of the recently opened Rhino Pub, Lon Wirtz, said he was in favor of the event.

"Any way we can help eliminate intoxicated driving is a good thing," he said. "This program promotes us and gives the bars a better image."

"The response has been great and everyone has been really supportive of the event," Lyons said.