Article - The Daily Mississippian | Sun, 09/19/2010 - 22:54 | By Blake Johnson

The University Designated Drivers program offers a safe alternative to those in need of a ride or who don’t want to leave their car unattended over night.

Zac Gossett and his girlfriend, pharmacy student Katie Sims, both experienced the loss of a friend or family member due to drunk driving accidents, which led them to create the program.

“When we heard about DD services that were popping up across the nation we decided that Oxford needed one,” Gossett said.

The program charges $20 to pick up a customer, with no extra charge for extra riders, and after the first five miles the price is $2 per mile. 

“We have a flat rate for as many people that the customer can fit in their vehicle, whereas you would have to pay per-person with other taxi services,” Gossett said. 

The program has 12 drivers, most of which are students at the university, and three receptionists.

“We work in teams of two — One of our drivers drives the customer, and the other one goes and picks up that DD,” Gossett said.

Gossett asks that customers call 20 minutes prior to leaving so the drivers can have time to get there.

University DD will acquire basic information from their customers so they can pair them with an appropriate driver.

Junior communicative science major Rachel Dunlap and junior biology major Kate Kirkpatrick agreed that the service was a great idea.

Kirkpatrick said she liked that the program matched the drivers with the customer and said she felt more comfortable with a student-aged person driving her car rather than an unknown older adult.

“The driver takes them wherever they’d like to go,” Gossett said. “Stops are welcome, they can stop at Taco Bell, get chicken on a stick or they can drop a buddy off.”  

Once the driver gets the customer to their destination and is paid, the follower picks the driver up and they continue to another customer.

Given 24-hour notice, the program, also, offers their services to those who need someone to drive their car home from medical appointments.

“We want to help people that are impaired for any reason,” Gossett said. “Whether they’ve been out having a great time drinking, they’re sleepy, they’ve been under anesthesia, or even if they really busy. We want them to live their life and not have to worry about having a safe driver, and we will provide that for them.” 

University DD can be found on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Gossett said they have given out free rides each month through contests to those who “Like” their Facebook group.

Services run from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Customers can call toll-free at 1-888-654-6933.

For more information about University Designated Drivers’ services or job opportunities visit universitydd.com.

Ridgeland, Miss. (June 9, 2010) -- Mississippi Technology Alliance (MTA) President and CEO Tony Jeff today announced the winners of MTA’s business plan competition, the 2010 Mississippi New Venture Challenge.

Thirty-five companies participated in the competition on June 3 at the Jackson Marriott. The New Venture Challenge was open to Mississippi innovation and technology entrepreneurs, student-led companies and existing companies with new venture opportunities. MTA awarded nearly $60,000 in cash and in-kind services for winning companies to use in growing their businesses. Participants competed in three divisions: Commercial, for existing companies with new ventures; Pre-Revenue, for start-up companies who do not yet have revenues; and Student, for teams comprised of students.

“We are very pleased to see the New Venture Challenge grow each year both in the number and quality of participants,” said Jeff.  “This event showcases some of Mississippi’s most creative and talented entrepreneurs. It is encouraging to see so many innovative start-up companies taking shape in our state.”

In the Commercial Division, first place was awarded to Sinhatech, of Oxford, for its patented aero streamlining device for trucks, called Dolphin-Skin. The product improves fuel economy by as much as 30 percent. Second place went to Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., of Tupelo, an engineering services company that provides technology support to both government and industry. Royal King Foods, of Carthage, captured third place with its venture to provide meat alternatives and natural, nutritious food options.

In the Pre-Revenue Division, first place was awarded to Navigas, LLC, of Jackson, a Google Earth Enterprise Partner that works closely with Google on continued development of Google Earth Enterprise. Second place was won by Clear Water Organic Farms, LLC, of Utica, a company that uses aquaculture and hydroponics to produce organic fish and vegetables. Bio Energy, LLC, of Madison won third place for its venture to produce biodiesel to serve a local market at a price that is below the cost of petroleum diesel.

Although the Student Division had competitors from five universities, all of the winners were from Ole Miss. H20 Conserve won first place with its line of automotive detail products that offer superior performance, reduce water usage and are safe for the environment.  University Designated Drivers won second place with a venture to offer Designated Drivers who drive customers anywhere they want, in the customer’s own vehicle.  URLogoRFID took home third place with a venture to use Radio Frequency Identification (RIFD) technology to streamline asset management. 

In addition to cash awards and in-kind services, two companies won a bonus sponsored by MTA’s Strategic Biomass Solutions for energy-related ventures. Sinhatech received a $1,000 energy bonus and Bio Energy, LLC received a $250 energy bonus.

A complete list of companies who participated in the New Venture Challenge can be found online at www.mta.ms/newventurechallenge. 

The Mississippi Technology Alliance is a non-profit organization with the mission to drive innovation and technology-based economic development for the State of Mississippi. For more information, visit www.mta.ms.

If you drove your car to the Square to socialize with friends, but at the end of the evening realize you may have had one too many cocktails, a designated driver will soon be just a phone call away.

A new designated driver service will provide customers with drivers to ensure they and their vehicle get home safely.

The University Designated Driver company kicks off its new service next week and the co-owners, Zac Gossett and Katie Sims, hope to provide a safe alternative for those who have had too much to drink.

New solution

While on vacation this summer, Sims said he read about a new service popping up in big cities where designated drivers can be hired to drive a customer’s car and take their own foldable scooter which allows the driver to return from where they dropped off the customer.

Gossett and Sims thought Oxford could use the service and started looking into purchasing foldable scooters that fit in the back of a trunk. But what they discovered is the situation can get messy with oil leaks.

The solution — a foldable electric bike.

“After testing 2 Di Blasi scooters, we realized that they leak oil and gas, creating a nauseating environment inside our vehicle,” Gossett said. “We started looking at our other options, and the folding electric bike was the most attractive on many levels. They use no gas, emit no fumes, weigh less than the scooters, and give our DDs a higher profile while riding.”

The bikes are powered by green battery technology and have zero carbon emissions. Gossett said to his knowledge they are the first to use the bikes for a designated driver service.

The service can be reserved ahead or called on like a taxi. The drivers arrive at your door, or wherever you are in town, on their electric bike. The bike is folded up and placed in your trunk while they drive you to your destination.

Afterward, one of the three drivers Gossett has hired will unfold the bike and return. The solution is one that both Sims and Gossett hopes will help cut down on cars left on the Square or worse — people who opt to drive home drunk rather than leaving their car or taking a taxi.

Personal mission

Both Sims and Gossett have lost loved ones or seen friends injured due to drunk drivers. Gossett also saw his brother flip his car last year when he fell asleep at the road.

“We want to help anyone who is impaired, not just with alcohol, but too tired to drive or after a surgery,” Gossett said.

The company will have insurance, but since the owner of the car is essentially providing permission to let the driver use their car, individual auto insurance also provides the coverage. Each driver will also have their own insurance. Gossett said he met with city officials who determined that the service does not need a taxi permit so no permit is required. However the liability insurance will cover the company.

The designated drive service hopes to be a cheaper alternative than taxis, charging $20 for a round trip plus $2 per mile. Students will receive discounts for free mileage to campus and 50 percent off mileage anywhere else.

The service will operate from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Tuesday-Saturday and will be on call for other times. A daytime service will also be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for those who may need a ride after a doctor appointment or for any other need.

“Some people don’t always want to drive their own car but enjoy the freedom of having it,” Gossett said. “”We recognized that there is a need for this kind of service in Oxford.”

By (AP) OXFORD, Miss.

Oxford, Miss.

A new on-call designated driver service in Oxford has folding electric bicycles to get its own drivers home.

Zac Gossett and Katie Sims own the University Designated Driver company. Gossett says they tested folding scooters used by similar companies elsewhere, but the scooters leaked oil and gas.

So they bought the bikes.

They take reservations or spot calls. A driver pedals to the car, puts the folded bike into the back seat, then drives car and owner to their destination.

Sims and Gossett hope this will reduce the number of cars left on the Square in Oxford, and the number of people who drive when they shouldn't. They say that could include people who drive to the doctor and undergo a procedure that makes driving unsafe.

They charge $20 per trip, plus $2 per mile.

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