I just read a piece in the New York Times describing a new model for designated driving, and I’m actually surprised that I hadn’t heard of it sooner. In years past, beer companies have spent millions on ad campaigns encouraging people to choose a designated driver for a night on the town. But despite all their efforts, the rate of drunk driving fatalities hasn’t changed much in past years.

The business described in the article by Mickey Meece is basically a modified taxi service, but uses a fold-up scooter as the main element in the equation. Companies like Scooter Patrol of Sunset Beach, California, City Scoot in Louisville Kentucky, and Y Drive LA in Los Angeles, have developed for-profit business models designed on the platform of service and safety.

Once ordered, a designated driver arrives on a fold-up scooter, places it in the caller’s trunk, and drives the individual(s) home. When finished, the driver hops on the scooter and heads to the next destination. In many ways, it’s a smarter alternative to traditional taxi services as well, because people who utilize the service don’t need to worry about getting their vehicles the next day.

This is business model appeals to me because of its inherent aim of helping the community. Sure, these businesses are money-making entities, but whatever helps to keep the streets safe ends up being a positive force in any community. Furthermore, now that liquor has the legal right to advertise on television, both beer and liquor producers are signing on as sponsors for some of the services, providing much needed capital for the businesses to expand.

According to the Atlanta sober-scooter service, Zingo, “what this industry needs is a national brand.” Whatever that brand ends up being, rest assured the streets will be safer.

[image via Bixentro]