One bright entrepreneur has found the solution for those wishing to indulge to their hearts content without the fear of landing up with a hefty fine, suspended sentence or even jail term.
Toot-n-Scoot has 10 fold-up mopeds, which are used by its “chauffeurs” to reach you at your venue of fun. The driver then folds up his scooter, which is about the size of a large suitcase once done, and bundles you and scooter into your vehicle and sets sail for your home.
Once you arrive home, simply settle up with your chauffeur, award a gratuity if you are in the mood, and head for bed. He then folds out his moped from its portable carry case, and heads back home.
Formed just more than 18 months ago by Adrian Bradley, a BCom graduate, the company seems set to grow in leaps and bounds.
“Probably my largest client base is that of male professionals, who realise that it’s simply not worth it anymore.
“While a one-off trip costs R150, it’s certainly a lot cheaper than the dire consequence of the law, which could result in a jail term, and always a criminal record, which most companies take a very dim view of these days,” Bradley says.
Businesswomen are next up when Bradley reviews his client base.
Professional women are often required to work late, attend conferences and so forth, so it makes sense for them to utilise Bradley’s services not only in the interests of avoiding the consequences of drunken driving, but for personal safety, too.
“Some companies book my entire fleet out when it comes to awards evenings, launches or celebrations, which allows its personnel to enjoy the evening with their peers and not have to admit that they can’t quite remember how they got home the next day,” he relates.
“We’ll gladly assist anyone who has had a great time on the town, but can’t act as nursemaids, though. Restaurants and pubs will sometimes call to assist with a patron who has totally overdone it. But clients must preferably phone us, as restaurants and pubs cannot give us consent to drive a patron home in the patron’s vehicle. The driver has to do this,” he explains.
The younger set are waking up to their responsibilities, too, and Bradley has two 21-year-olds who use the service regularly.
“Strangely enough, these guys use Toot-n-Scoot to brag to their peers about getting home safely, which the ladies enjoy. They pick up that the guys are intelligent and are aware of the dangers to themselves and other road users when over the limit,” says Bradley. “Their success rate in meeting new friends is thus quite high.”
If you aren’t a big party animal, then the one-off asking fee per trip of R150 is probably your best option. You can prepay, too, depending on your lifestyle, which affords large discounts amounting to more than 50%, depending on the package you purchase. Three trips within a month will cost you R180 (R60 a trip) or you can purchase five at R250 (R50 a trip).
Toot-n-Scoot drivers aren’t highly paid, and most rely on their manners, punctuality and smooth driving to ensure a few extra rands after each trip. Most clients happily oblige, and the nett result is that everyone gets home safely, too.
The system is operational in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, and is likely to expand to new areas soon.
Visit www.toot-n-scoot.co.za or call 082 239 4668 after your 10th Tequila.
Cheers!