Drunken driving arrests in Ellensburg have been on a steady incline since before Safe Ride started. In 1997 there were 61 arrests. In 1998, their originating year, the number went up to 80. In 1999 there were 112 arrests and in 2000, when Safe Ride was told they must enforce the pick-up only policy, there were 114 arrests, only two more than the previous year. She went on to say that getting behind the wheel when she knew she was intoxicated was nobody else's fault but her own.
Many students do, however, take advantage of the service.
During winter quarter, there were 4,400 riders. Spring quarter has brought in 1,211 riders thus far, where 79 percent have used Safe Ride for a designated driver and 21 percent for escort purposes. Safe Ride will bring students home to areas surrounding the bars if a student can show proof that they live at that residence every time they ride the bus. On Friday and Saturday there are two buses running and they pick up every half hour in front of the Tav at 117 W. 4th St. The phone number to be picked up is 899-0394 and each student that rides the bus must show valid Central identification.