Free Taxi Rides Home

If you're going out to a Halloween party tonight and aren't taking Metro, program this number into your phone: 1-800-200-8294. That's how you reach SoberRide, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program's free taxi service. If you've had too much to drink -- or even if you've had just a few drinks -- they'll get you a free ride home, no questions asked. All you have to do is call between 10 p.m. tonight and 6 a.m. on Saturday.

There are a few restrictions:

--The program covers up to a $50 fare. If it's under, you're free and clear, though you should tip the driver. If it's over $50, you pay the difference.

--You have to be 21 to use SoberRide.

--SoberRide will not pick you up at a party and take you to a bar or another party, but they will take you home from a bar or party.

As you might expect, taxis are busy on Halloween night, so call 30 to 60 minutes before you're going to leave to allow time for your ride to arrive.

The caveat is that the system's not perfect. I've made calls before and had cabs take so long to show up that I wound up using (and paying for) a non-SoberRide cab. I've also had it go very smoothly. But anything is better than having a DUI on your record or, worse, being involved in an accident.

-- Fritz