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Off to the races

The University should be more proactive with helping with safety efforts during the Foxfield Races

To promote student safety at the 2010 Foxfield Races, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team and the Center for Alcohol and Substance Education are helping to provide six University Transit Service buses to transport students back and forth from the races. Along with other collaborators like the Foxfield Races Strategy Group and the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the groups aim to minimize the impact of drunk driving on both the University and Charlottesville communities the day of Foxfield, CASE Director Susie Bruce said. This initiative is commendable and seems likely to reduce the risks typically associated with this social event. Rather than stand by idly as such plans are put into place, University administrators should take a more hands-on approach to assisting with safety efforts during the Foxfield Races.

These buses will run between 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m. with pick-up points at the Student Activities Building, the University Chapel and the Darden School. The round-trip ticket price is now $10, down from $20 last year. After covering costs, any proceeds from bus fares will be given to ADAPT for future alcohol and drug awareness programs.

This service comes as positive news for University students, as it provides them with an inexpensive, stress-free and safe way to get to and from the event. Students will not have to worry about fitting into the trunks of over-stuffed cars or whether their drivers are sober. The bus service also may help to alleviate the often-congested two-lane roads.

Although, $10 is certainly a reasonable price for bus service, the University could enhance the program in a number of ways if it would lend support to the efforts. For example, the University could subsidize the transportation cost for students, at least for the return trip to reduce the occurrence of drunk driving after the races. The cost of providing service

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