Sober driving service expands

After proving to be a roaring success during special events over the last few years, Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS)’ Sober Driving Initiative is here to stay, now offering free rides every Friday and Saturday night to help reduce the amount of drinking and driving in the community.

“The Sober Driving Initiative was created to fill a gap in the community,” said KSCS spokesperson Tish Pungartnik, who said that unlike urban centres, Kahnawake doesn’t have access to other free taxi services or programs, like Operation Red Nose, a volunteer-run service that offers free rides to those under the influence in cities across Canada, including in Montreal.

“That lack of options contributes directly to impaired driving,” Pungartnik said.

The program began as a grassroots effort in the summer of 2023, quickly expanding to cover the summer weekends and subsequently the full month of December, improving safety on the road during the busy Christmas party season.

“What began as a grassroots effort has shown lasting impact, and expanding it into a full-time, structured program allows us to support the community consistently and proactively address a growing safety issue,” Pungartnik said.

With demand increasing, KSCS has taken steps to add more structure to the program, forming the Sober Driver Committee, made up of five KSCS employees, to guide the next phase of development.

“Since then, we’ve built policies, created safety protocols, and put forward a full operational model that’s been approved for long-term sustainability through KSCS,” Pungartnik said. “What began as a few drivers on a couple of nights is now becoming a full-time community-run program with a vetted team and structured oversight.”

The community has been supportive of the Sober Driving Initiative team throughout their operations, a key part of what encouraged KSCS to forge forward in making the program permanent.

“People are not only using the service but actively advocating for its continuation and growth. Families have shared that it gives them peace of mind, and many community members have told us they feel safer knowing this option is available to them,” Pungartnik said. “It’s also led to more open conversations around harm reduction, accountability, and the importance of taking care of one another.”

The program is fully funded through KSCS, with the approved model including two dedicated drivers who will be independently contracted workers, providing consistent weekend coverage year-round. Those individuals have been involved since the beginning of the program, and will be joined by additional volunteers during high-demand weekends.

Those high-demand dates include Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day, powwow weekend, Labour Day weekend, Halloween, and the entire month of December, including New Year’s Eve.

“These dates were chosen based on patterns observed during the pilot phase times when impaired driving is more likely to occur,” Pungartnik said. “This strategic schedule ensures reliable, predictable access when the community needs it most.”

The program officially becomes full-time as of April 1 and will run every Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Community members can call two numbers to call for a driver during those times, either 438-227-6065 or 514-518-1204.

“We hope the Sober Driving Initiative becomes a permanent pillar of community care. The long-term goal is to reduce impaired driving, support harm reduction, and promote safer decision-making across Kahnawake,” Pungartnik said. “The initiative is built on care, trust, and the idea that we can protect one another by providing better options.

“If this program prevents even one tragedy, the investment is worth it.”

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