Business offering designated driver rides

A Rainier, Ore., business is bringing a new service to Wahkiakum County--they provide teams of safe drivers to conduct people home from bars and taverns.

Tony Cataldo, proprietor of "Designated Driver--Safe Ride Home" has set up a team in the Skamokawa area.

"We've been operating in Rainier for five years," Cataldo said Monday. "A local resident contacted us and suggested we set up a team in Skamokawa because people were getting picked up for driving while intoxicated."

Cataldo was able to recruit a two-person team, which are usually couples, he said. They'll be on duty on Friday and Saturday nights, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. For people who call at least an hour ahead, the ride is $20; for people calling at the last minute, the ride is $25.

They'll drive the customer and the customer's vehicle home.

To contact "Designated Driver," phone 1-855-THE-DRVR (843-3787).