Cranbourne residents Rhee, Shorte, Ann and Dave have started the chauffeuring business Dial a Driver to reduce the number of drink drivers.By Alison Noonan
DIAL a driver or risk running into a booze bus.
That’s the warning from a Cranbourne family that has established an innovative chauffeuring business to curb the increasing trend of drink driving.
Retiree Dave Thompson, daughter Antoinette Moore and wife Rihari Moore are behind the recently launched Dial a Driver enterprise.
Dial a Driver will shuttle drinkers home in their own car, allowing party-goers the convenience of being able to take their cars out, drink and not have to worry about abandoning their vehicle at the end of the night.
Mr Thompson said he was moved to establish the enterprise following the death of friend in a drink-driving accident.
“We want to see that innocent people don’t get hurt. It can easily be avoided,” he said.
“For a long time, the public has been urged not to do drugs or drink while behind the wheel.
“We have seen children lose limbs, crippled and scarred for life, which in turn is a life sentence for the victim and their families.”
Mr Thompson said the business asks drinkers to take responsibility for their actions and could potentially save lives.
“Our drivers will pick drinkers up and drive them home in their own car in complete security, before they meet the booze bus.
“Many people are drink driving because they don’t want to leave their car out.
“With Dial a Driver, they don’t have to worry about leaving their car to be stolen or damaged at a party or on the side of the road.
“They can sleep well knowing their car is locked up securely where they usually have it.
“A similar business has been operating successfully in New Zealand for the past 10 years and I’m sure it will be just as successful here.”
Mr Thompson said Dial a Driver currently serviced the Casey, Dandenong and Frankston areas, but he hoped to one day expand the business statewide.
“We pretty much cover from Koo Wee Rup to Hastings, Frankston to Dandenong and right through Casey.
“We have already done quite a few jobs and everyone has been very pleased with the service. People need to be responsible for their actions and do the right thing.
“We make it easy for people to go out and enjoy themselves as a group without the night ending in disaster,” he said.
Contact Dial a Driver on 5995 1842.
