NORFOLK, Va. — You may soon see a "police taxi" around Norfolk.
The point of the new car with a distinctive paint job is to discourage people from drinking and driving.
The front half of the car is painted like a normal police car, but adds one small fact, "this ride is about $8,100." The back half of the car is painted like a Coastal Ride taxi with the words "Safe Ride" and a small fact that, "this ride is about $15."
“The police taxi will be utilized at DUI checkpoints and placed on display at various locations and events throughout the city,” Lieutenant Michael Felix of the Norfolk Police Traffic Division stated.
Coastal Ride donated the police taxi as part of a "Don't Drink and Drive Campaign."
“Our hope for donating this vehicle to the police department is to encourage our community to drink responsibly and never to drink and drive” Judith Swystun, President of Coastal Ride stated.
The car features a message stating "Choose your ride." The prices highlight the true financial cost of a DUI compared to a taxi.
The police taxi will make its debut during "First Friday's" on Friday, October 4 in downtown Norfolk and will mainly serve as a rolling billboard.
It will not operate as a standard police car and it won't work as a taxi. It's designed ti start a discussion and make people think before they act.
“The goal behind this unique vehicle is to increase public awareness, create discussion about the dangers of impaired driving, and remind motorists that they need to make responsible decisions while drinking,” Felix said.
“It’s an easy choice to make,” said Felix. “Take a taxi, and save lives.”