Safe Ride Home Sudbury launches 27th year of service

For 27 years, Safe Ride Home Sudbury has provided a free, volunteer-driven service to get people and their cars home safely, combating local impaired driving.

As the holiday season approaches, the volunteer-run Safe Ride Home Sudbury initiative is preparing to launch its annual campaign. The service, which provides a free and safe alternative to driving under the influence, will be actively providing rides from Nov. 28 through New Year’s Eve.

2025 marks the program’s 27th year of operation within the Greater Sudbury community.

Critical service supported by police

The initiative receives strong endorsement from local law enforcement, which views it as a vital partner in road safety. Greater Sudbury Police Service Chief Sara Cunningham voiced her full support for the program Friday, highlighting its direct role in preventing impaired driving.

“Safe Ride Home Sudbury, it’s just a phenomenal program that allows people to dial a number where great volunteers will come and get you and bring you and your car home, safely,” said Cunningham.

“We as a police service support this because we don’t want anybody on our roadways driving impaired.”

The pressing need for such a service is underscored by recent local statistics.

“Unfortunately, we’re still seeing, roughly, in 2024. I’m pushing close here in 2025, about 400 impaired charges, you know, locally in our jurisdiction,” said Cunningham.

Community addresses impaired driving together

Lesli Green, the President of Safe Ride Home Sudbury, emphasized that the program exists as a practical solution to a persistent community issue. The service uniquely provides a ride for both the individual and their vehicle, effectively removing any excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking.

“Like a lot of communities, you know, impaired driving is an issue. So, this is just another option for people to get home,” said Green.

The value of this community-based initiative is recognized by the volunteers who power it.

Rasheed Aninashaun, a second-year Cambrian College police foundations student, expressed his appreciation for the program.

“Impaired driving, this kind of is something that is very, very problematic in our community, and I’m very glad that the community came together to form an initiative,” said Aninashaun.

Volunteer-powered mission

The organization is deeply reliant on its volunteers to operate. Last year, approximately 350 community members donated their time and officials are actively hoping to recruit as many as possible this year to broaden the service’s reach.

Green offered high praise for the dedicated students who form the backbone of the campaign.

“These students are here each and every night of the campaign, and they set up our headquarters and maintain it, and they’re just amazing and wonderful. We’re so lucky to have their support,” she said.

While the driving service is especially promoted during the holiday period, Safe Ride Home Sudbury is operational year-round. The organization continuously recruits volunteers to assist with driving, maintaining its unwavering goal of keeping impaired drivers off Greater Sudbury’s roads.