Safe Ride Program offered at area bars on Super Bowl Sunday

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Super Bowl Sunday is just two days away and football fans planning to watch the game at a local establishment are being reminded that there are simple -- and free -- alternatives to drinking and driving.

The Milwaukee County Hospitality Association is expecting it to be a good night for many of their members. The association represents about a third of the area's bars and restaurants.

"The social life of Milwaukee is very targeted into our bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Here you have an option to be able to do that and get home safely," said Sharon Ward with the association.

The option is called the Safe Ride Program. At participating locations, patrons can obtain a voucher for a free cab ride home, up to $25, with no strings attached. The hospitality association is reminding area establishments that the program is available this Sunday.

"The business itself protects itself by offering it because your customer will come back. Now if your customer gets a drunk driving offense, the likelihood of seeing them very frequently doesn't exist anymore because of the cost of drunk driving," said Ward.

Major Goolsby's, one of Milwaukee's most storied sports bars, is expecting a packed house on Sunday, February 3rd.

"Rather than just sitting at home, even with a bunch of friends, you're in a large group of people and you cheer and you got fans from both sides got the jerseys on, they got the gear on, there's a little more buzz, a little more excitement, a lot more fun involved in coming with other people and we expect to have a really good night," said Chris Peppas of Major Goolsby's.

In order to use the Safe Ride Program, the establishment you visit must be a participant in the program. Ward says there should be signs posted to advertise the service.