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Services and history

In 2022, Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride (Safe Ride) was established, in collaboration with Brainerd Lakes Toward Zero Deaths (TZD), as a grassroots effort to try to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes caused by impaired and drunk drivers in the Brainerd Lakes Area. These tragedies can have a devastating emotional and financial impact on loved ones, friends, co-workers, and communities who, in some instances, never recover. Fatal and serious crashes have a ripple effect in communities, putting first responders in harm’s way and can have a lasting impact on their lives.

• Gets drunk and impaired drivers off our roadways.

• Helps reduce serious & fatal crashes caused by drunk/impaired drivers.

• Helps reduce DWI/DUIs.

• Provides bar/restaurant impaired patrons free or reduced cost rides to a home or hotel.

• Available at 33 bars/establishments in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

• Funded by individuals, businesses, grants.

• 100% of donations go to the program.

• Helps reduce potential negative law enforcement engagement with impaired drivers.

Quick Details About Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride

From 8/2022-10/2025 Safe Ride has given rides home to over 8,000 passengers.