Sheriff Fights Drinking & Driving - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

A rolling billboard gets the attention of hundreds of Bay County residents. It's an eye opener and the message is simple.

With a picture as evidence, Matthew Lisenby has got a story for his friends. "I kind of noticed the light going on and thought somebody might of been pulled over."

A Crown Victoria with blue lights and olive green stripping look's like a patrol car, but if you take a closer look, you'll see it's true identity.

"I noticed the back of the car and it had taxi written on it. So I looked at my wife and told her, if you drink and drive you can ride in the front or in the back of a taxi cab." Lisenby says.

Sheriff Frank McKeithen is using this clever but simple idea to bring awareness to their drinking and driving campaign. "This message is so simple and so in your face that if you don't understand this, you ought to go to jail." McKeithen says.

Besides putting others in danger, the cost of driving drunk costs each adult almost $500 a year. Sheriff McKeithan says it's a reality you shouldn't have to face.

"We're asking that people call a cab. Call a friend; you don't have to call a cab. Call a friend, call someone because the ride in the police car is going to cost you more than you think."

Rick Milling drives people home night after night as a taxi driver and says a taxi ride is cheaper than one would expect. Prices usually range from $10 to $20.

"I would much rather someone ride in the back of a cab than the back of one of my police cars, that's the bottom line." McKeithen says.

The new gadget will be around town, as we get closer to Memorial Day weekend. The Sheriff has also sent this to other Sheriff's to help them with their drinking an driving campaigns.