•How can you say that you are not encouraging drinking?
We feel that it is a student's choice whether or not they drink. DRIVING JACKS is a non-judgmental service, and we are neither for nor against drinking. If a student decides to drink, we will be there to provide a free, safe ride home. DRIVING JACKS works with Nacogdoches Safe and Drug Free to help promote the safe use of alcohol and to teach students about the proven effects of binge drinking. We take sober students home when they are in need, so our numbers reflect both sober and intoxicated students.
•Why don't you turn in underage drinkers?
If students think that we turn in underage drinkers then DRIVING JACKS will have a bad reputation among the students. This will lead to less trust by the students and eventually, students will not call Driving Jacks even when they need the service. DRIViNG JACKS is not a law enforcement entity. We are simply here to ensure students get home safely when they are in need of a ride due to alcohol or other circumstances.
•Do you only take SFA students home?
Because of our sponsorship by the community we also provide rides to members of the Nacogdoches community. While we will take non-students home, we ask that they be respectful of our service at all times and abide by the DRIVING JACKS verbal agreement.
•Why do you use rental cars? Why don't you get cars donated or purchase vehicles?
By renting cars the liability burden is greatly reduced as most of the insurance is provided through Enterprise. Also by renting cars, DRIVING JACKS not responsible for the cost of maintaining the vehicles or mechanical repairs.
•Why CARPOOL (lime) green for everything??
It allows a member to instantly be recognized as a member of DRIVING JACKS. When in a crowd, patrons can easily find members to get a ride and when getting into a vehicle patrons know they are being driven by a trained member of DRIVING JACKS.
•Does DRIVING JACKS take any action if a student regularly uses the service?
No, DRIVING JACKS does not pass judgment on anyone. DRIVING JACKS is making the roads safer and if these people are intoxicated, we applaud them for utilizing DRIVING JACKS rather than endangering the community. If someone does have a problem with alcohol, we are not professionals trained to help him or her with that problem. SFA has employees that specialize in student counseling and alcohol education.
•What is your relationship with the police?
The police regularly call DRIVING JACKS when they need to find a ride for intoxicated patrons. They support our program and often thank us for contributing to the safety of this community.
•Is your service only for people who have been drinking?
No we are here to give you a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential ride home no matter if you have been drinking or not, all you have to do is call.
What We're Up To
New Member applications are due by September 10th at 5 P.M.