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A Partnership Between Law Enforcement and Community |
Tipsy Taxi provides a free ride home for those in Aspen, Colorado who have no other way to avoid getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. It is administered through the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office as a crime prevention program.
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| Tipsy Taxi Works |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a study of Aspen's Tipsy Taxi. It concludes that "Examination of crash data indicated that nighttime, injury and fatal crashes all declined after implementation of Tipsy Taxi...."
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| It’s Simple |
Aspen’s Tipsy Taxi has operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 1983. Its fundamental philosophy is that of partnership between law enforcement and the community to encourage residents and tourists in Aspen to make correct choices. Implementation of the program is simple. The person in Aspen who needs the ride asks any bartender or any peace officer. That bartender or peace officer will call for a taxi and provide a voucher to pay for the ride home. Implementation of Tipsy Taxi is so simple that even a person whose judgment is impaired by alcohol will make the right choice -- to take a free ride home instead of driving while impaired.
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| No Tax Dollars |
The rides are funded through a variety of voluntary contributions. Tax dollars are not used. It truly is a gift to the community, from the community.
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| For More Information |
Ellen W. Anderson, Retired Deputy Sheriff, founded Aspen's Tipsy Taxi in 1983 and continues as Director. IF YOU WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON HOW TO SET UP A SIMILAR PROGRAM IN YOUR AREA, e-mail ellen35(at)comcast.net. If you are in Aspen and need a Tipsy Taxi, ask any bartender or any peace officer, who will arrange for your free ride home.
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