Posted by Paly Parent, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Aug 26, 2012 at 8:38 am

Can you please clarify if Paly is or has been involved in this program. The article states that it was started by Paly and Gunn students but does not list Paly in the list of contributing schools.

I have never heard of this safe ride program except here in the PA Weekly. My Paly kids have never heard of it either.

Perhaps reaching out to Paly families as well as the other schools would help find a few more volunteers.

Posted by Gunn Parent, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2012 at 11:50 am

I had never heard of the program either, but had the same interest to save lives and offered the same to my children and their friends. Some parents thought I was wrong to do so, without a follow-up call to the parents of anyone I gave a ride to - so they could take whatever corrective action fit their family rules.

I was never asked to drive the same child twice - they actually learned from the experience and avoided future needs.

From my experience this is worthwhile - I did not condone drinking, nor did I help provide supplies or a place to drink, only a safe ride home. I made sure each child was safely in their house. I never had someone so drunk that I thought they could not be safely dropped off, but had that occurred I would have sought help.

For the curious, I drank some as a teen (so been there), but I do not drink now (so was not seen as someone trying to provide means, only save lives).

I really hope the safe ride practice continues!!

Posted by Sally Bemus, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2012 at 4:23 pm

Thank you Becky for alerting us to the loss of this important life saving service. Count me in to help find a way to continue this program for our teens.