Italy is trialling free taxi rides for party-goers in a bid to cut down on the scourge of drink driving and curb deadly accidents.
The pilot project will run until mid-September at six nightclubs around the country, from Puglia in the south to Tuscany and Veneto in the north.
Under the scheme, revellers who appear too drunk to drive upon exiting the venues will be subjected to an alcohol test.
If they are over the limit, a taxi will be called to take them home at the state’s expense, with funding for the scheme being provided by the transport ministry.
The scheme has been pushed by Matteo Salvini, Italy’s transport minister, deputy prime minister and leader of the hard-Right League party.
It is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents on the country’s roads, with experts having warned that drink driving poses a significant problem in Italy. Fatal incidents often involve young people who have been drinking.
**‘Plan of prevention’**
“Free taxis at the end of the night for those who have drunk too much,” Mr Salvini wrote on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, as he announced the scheme.He said it was “a practical initiative aimed at preventing danger and tragedy on the roads”, adding that fines and drink-driving laws were not enough to combat the problem.
“To stop the slaughter on the roads, we need to involve everyone in a plan of prevention,” he said.
The scheme kicked off at the weekend and has been generally well received so far.
**‘Intelligent initiative’**
Outside one nightclub, near the town of Jesolo in the northern Veneto region, a young man named Marco told the newspaper Il Gazzettino: “I think it’s a good idea because there are so many accidents. People go out dancing and they drink. This experiment could finally contain the problem.”
Samuele Bucciol, the owner of the nightclub, said that 21 people were taken away by taxis during the scheme’s first night.
“I’m really happy that the government has finally given a bit of thought to us as a sector because often in the media we get a hard time,” Mr Bucciol said.
“It’s an intelligent initiative. People come here to have fun, they want to forget their problems for a bit, and maybe they drink too much. The taxis can take them home safely,” he added.
A regular idiot can ruin a taxi driver’s day. A drunk idiot can ruin their car or even career.
Cannot imagine taking drunks, let alone for “free”.
So I can just be drunk all day and be driven everywhere for free?
Neat!
In German state of Brandenburg they are offering youth of ages 16-25 the possibility to ride taxis at night for 50/50 deal for security. State pays half, youngsters the other half.
I can imagine people drinking their taxi money and getting more drunk as a consequence 🙂
With what taxis?
Europe is totally not a nanny state though
You are in Italy and need a taxi. Let’s imagine you need a ride that will cost you 10-20 euros, to safe you jump in a store and get a beer and you save 75%
I’m Drunk at 0830 in the morning, can you take me to work?
9 comments
**From The Telegraph’s Nick Squires in Rome:**
Italy is trialling free taxi rides for party-goers in a bid to cut down on the scourge of drink driving and curb deadly accidents.
The pilot project will run until mid-September at six nightclubs around the country, from Puglia in the south to Tuscany and Veneto in the north.
Under the scheme, revellers who appear too drunk to drive upon exiting the venues will be subjected to an alcohol test.
If they are over the limit, a taxi will be called to take them home at the state’s expense, with funding for the scheme being provided by the transport ministry.
The scheme has been pushed by Matteo Salvini, Italy’s transport minister, deputy prime minister and leader of the hard-Right League party.
It is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents on the country’s roads, with experts having warned that drink driving poses a significant problem in Italy. Fatal incidents often involve young people who have been drinking.
**‘Plan of prevention’**
“Free taxis at the end of the night for those who have drunk too much,” Mr Salvini wrote on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, as he announced the scheme.He said it was “a practical initiative aimed at preventing danger and tragedy on the roads”, adding that fines and drink-driving laws were not enough to combat the problem.
“To stop the slaughter on the roads, we need to involve everyone in a plan of prevention,” he said.
The scheme kicked off at the weekend and has been generally well received so far.
**‘Intelligent initiative’**
Outside one nightclub, near the town of Jesolo in the northern Veneto region, a young man named Marco told the newspaper Il Gazzettino: “I think it’s a good idea because there are so many accidents. People go out dancing and they drink. This experiment could finally contain the problem.”
Samuele Bucciol, the owner of the nightclub, said that 21 people were taken away by taxis during the scheme’s first night.
“I’m really happy that the government has finally given a bit of thought to us as a sector because often in the media we get a hard time,” Mr Bucciol said.
“It’s an intelligent initiative. People come here to have fun, they want to forget their problems for a bit, and maybe they drink too much. The taxis can take them home safely,” he added.
**Continue reading ⤵️**
[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/08/07/italy-trials-free-taxi-rides-curb-drink-driving-deaths/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/08/07/italy-trials-free-taxi-rides-curb-drink-driving-deaths/)
RIP taxi drivers.
A regular idiot can ruin a taxi driver’s day. A drunk idiot can ruin their car or even career.
Cannot imagine taking drunks, let alone for “free”.
So I can just be drunk all day and be driven everywhere for free?
Neat!
In German state of Brandenburg they are offering youth of ages 16-25 the possibility to ride taxis at night for 50/50 deal for security. State pays half, youngsters the other half.
I can imagine people drinking their taxi money and getting more drunk as a consequence 🙂
With what taxis?
Europe is totally not a nanny state though
You are in Italy and need a taxi. Let’s imagine you need a ride that will cost you 10-20 euros, to safe you jump in a store and get a beer and you save 75%
I’m Drunk at 0830 in the morning, can you take me to work?