Loudoun News Briefs

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Free Taxi Rides Home Available Through Jan. 1

A free taxi service aimed at reducing alcohol-related traffic accidents during the holiday season began Friday night in eastern Loudoun County and will continue through Jan. 1.

The annual service, called SoberRide, is offered by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program and covers most of the D.C. area.

Eastern Loudoun residents who have been drinking alcohol can call 800-200-TAXI (8294) to get a free ride home, provided the fare for the ride would not exceed $50.

Program officials said it has provided 41,384 free cab rides in the Washington region since 1993.

"Last December alone, 2,510 greater Washington residents did the right thing and availed themselves of this lifesaving service rather than possibly driving home impaired," said Kurt Gregory Erickson, the program's president. "For SoberRide's hours of operation last December, such ridership translates into the removal of a would-be drunk driver from our shared roadways every five minutes."

Battlefield Parkway's Newest Section Opens

Another section of Battlefield Parkway is open to traffic, Leesburg officials announced last week.

The segment between Tavistock Drive and Kincaid Boulevard opened Wednesday. The parkway will extend to Route 7 after the section that starts at the end of Lawson Road is completed. Message boards at the new segment inform motorists about the changed traffic pattern.

Construction of the parkway between Fort Evans and Edwards Ferry roads is scheduled for completion in the spring, and the section between Kincaid Boulevard and Route 7 is to be finished next fall.

The final section of the parkway, between South King Street and the Dulles Greenway, is in the design phase.

County Web Site Lists Events for Teenagers

Public, private and nonprofit organizations that host programs for teenagers can advertise their events for free at www.loudounteens.org, the Web site of the Loudoun Youth Initiative, county officials said last week.

The service is available for events such as concerts, sports, educational seminars and training workshops.

County officials said they will review submissions to ensure they are appropriate. Submission forms can be found at the Web site. Events will be posted three to five business days after they are received.

For information, call 703-737-8335.

— Compiled by KAFIA A. HOSH

Tagged: 2008 Holiday Season, alcohol, Battlefield Parkway, Dulles Greenway, holiday, teens, Washington D.C.

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