Free ride home: Christmas festivities come with a taxi vouchers

The Plan B free taxi voucher scheme will run for its third year, targeted at getting all revellers home safely.

Alcohol contributed to 13 per cent of fatal accidents and 6 per cent of injury crashes in Orange during the past five years, and 19 per cent of fatal accidents and 8 per cent of injuries in Cabonne.

The first 10 businesses to register their work Christmas party online each week will receive up to 10 taxi vouchers valued at $10 each.

All entrants who also submit a slogan opposed to drink-driving on the entry form will go into the draw for a $500 rebate towards their Christmas party.

Orange and Cabonne road safety officer Andrea Hamilton-Vaughan said demand for the program grew every year.

“[People] intend to the right thing but after a few drinks, good intentions go out the window – we ask you to ditch the car, leave it at home and make a taxi your plan B,” she said.

She said employers were responsible for their employees under work health and safety legislation and taxis were easier than a bus. 

Mayor Reg Kidd did not believe there was a reluctance to catch a taxi.

“It’s just a little reminder that if it’s a few blocks to get home or you’ve had two or three drinks, play it completely safe and get a taxi,” he said. 

The Taxi Cabs of Orange co-operative will supply $1000-worth of vouchers, while the Orange Liquor Accord has contributed $1500 towards the cost of the campaign. 

Co-operative chairman Darryl Curran said he was amazed by the number of people caught drink-driving.

“I just don’t understand why, there’s a taxi available 27/7 in Orange – just that $10 voucher seems to really work,” he said. 

To register, click here.