By Anne Levin
Funds for a designated driver program launched by the Princeton Police Department two years ago have run out, leaving impaired drivers without the safety net that “Let Princeton PD Provide Your DD” provided.
The program was a partnership of the police department, the Princeton PBA Local 130, Uber, and local bars and restaurants, allowing patrons to get a free ride home after a night out on the town. Since its launch in May 2023, the program provided more than 900 safe rides home.
At its November 24 meeting, Princeton Council heard from Police Chief Matthew Solovay that the financial support for the program had dried up. “Unfortunately, the funding for this program has been totally exhausted,” he said during his October report. “We are forced to suspend it.”
The situation is particularly concerning as the holidays are underway. In October, Solovay said, the police department made eight DWI (driving while intoxicated) arrests, one of which involved a motor vehicle incident that significantly injured a juvenile, who required hospitalization. “As of today,” he added, “we have had 36 DWI arrests in 2025, surpassing last year’s total.”
The police department takes impaired driving “extremely seriously,” Solovay said. “In fact, we have been one of the most forward-thinking agencies in New Jersey in our efforts to combat DWI. Two years ago, we launched the ‘Let Princeton PD Provide Your DD’ program. Rather than focusing solely on enforcement, we sought to prevent impaired driving altogether.”
The program allowed patrons of Princeton bars and restaurants to get a free ride home, up to $15 in value, by scanning a QR code on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Their destination or drop off location had to be within the Town of Princeton.
Participating locations included Agricola Eatery, the Yankee Doodle Tap Room, Conte’s Pizza, Teresa’s Pizza/Wine Bar, Witherspoon Grill, The Meeting House, Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna, the Ivy Inn, McCarter Theatre Center, and several others.
Solovay said that the Princeton Traffic Safety Bureau is exploring potential funding opportunities with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. The police department is also “trying to identify other possible avenues so that we can reinstate and sustain this valuable community program,” he said.
As of Monday, December 1, no new source had been secured. Sgt. Michael Strobel, who oversees the department’s Traffic Safety Bureau, said Solovay is actively working to secure the funding.
In the meantime, and with the holiday season underway, “the Princeton Police Department is out in full force with an unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe,” Solovay told Council.