Couple offers free rides to prevent DUI deaths
By Anya Tikka
DINGMANS FERRY — After a family member was arrested a third time for driving under the influence, and after some friends died in DUI-related accidents, Jeremy DeVito and his girlfriend, Jenna Dooley, came up with an idea: Arrive Alive Pike. This completely free transportation service makes sure all local residents get home safe after a night out, even if they can’t afford a taxi.
“We want a safe community," said DeVito. "You never know, it might be my father who’s going to be hit by a drunk driver. You don’t have to be drinking to be affected by it.”
Pennsylvania’s above-average rate of DUI tickets and fatal car crashes added urgency to their mission.
“We would love to get more people really involved," said DeVito. "We’re providing a service to the community, helping others. I believe the world has forgotten about it for the last ten years. People don’t care about each other as well as they could. This is a start.”
Arrive Alive Pike currently serves ten locations near Dingmans Ferry. DeVito said he’d love to expand the service to other areas. At present, it’s completely funded by the couple’s paychecks. They both have full-time jobs and run the service when they get back home. Arrive Alive Pike asks the communities it serves for sponsorships or donations, and is hoping the non-profit status they’re applying for will bring more in.
Running the service takes a lot of time and energy — managing the Facebook page, marketing, running the website, and doing all the legal work, in addition to the driving itself.
“We’re really have fun when we do it," said Devito. "It’s not like it’s crazy work when we do it.”
There are inherent dangers in offereing the service, but, he said, “I believe in God, and I believe he has my back.”
Arrive Alive Pike doesn’t need a taxi license because the drivers don’t use their own cars. They drive the car of the person using the service.
“We would love to expand our service," said DeVito. "We are always looking for volunteer drivers, and with the help of the volunteers we could in the future be able to expand our service.”
With a service like this, people have a better alternative to drinking and driving. "We’re here to try to prevent DUI-related accidents and fatalities in our county." he said. "It makes me feel good that I might save somebody’s life by bringing him home.”