
Is it a cab, or is it a police cruiser? Well, it’s a bit of both, and it’ll be showing up outside Arlington hot spots during the holidays to encourage revelers not to drive drunk.
This week the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington’s Red Top Cab and the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) joined forces in unveiling the “Chooser Cruiser,” the half-cab, half-police cruiser that will serve to remind the festive that they can either go home in a cab or in the back of a police cruiser.
“This newest, innovative and commissioned vehicle will be a poignant reminder this holiday season that, as every drunk driving incident is 100-percent preventable, people have a choice in how they’re transported at the end of an evening,” said Arlington County Police Chief M. Douglas Scott in a press release.
According to ARLnow, the car and its parts were donated by the Arlington County Police Department and Red Top Cab:
As part of the public/private initiative, Red Top donated the former taxi, which has more than 396,000 miles on it, and paid for its makeover. ACPD donated the lights on top which had previously been a former police cruiser, and will be responsible for positioning the vehicle throughout the county. Both organizations emphasize that due to the donations, the vehicle was of practically no cost to taxpayers.
Starting on December, WRAP will again run its SoberRide program, which offers a free cab ride (provided it’s under $30) to anyone who’s had too much to drink and needs to get home. Riders can call 800-200-TAXI (800-200-8294) to dispatch a participating cab.
Martin Austermuhle