App created for designated drivers from MWSU Campus Watch on Vimeo.

As the fall semester welcomes back new and returning students, the Texas Department of Transportation is partnering up with three universities to test a new app aimed to prevent students from drinking and driving. Our university is one of the three taking a step forward in helping students plan ahead for a sober ride home.

“Midwestern was chosen last spring to work with TxDot on some other small promotions, they were looking for three universities throughout Texas that represent different size of universities and Midwestern fit their criter,” Dan Williams, chief of police, said.

The Person Appointed to Stay Sober application works through Facebook by using the event planning page and helps users communicate through Facebook groups. Students can find sober drivers, how many passengers they can carry, and discuss how much they are willing to pay the driver for gas money.

The app will be tested at Midwestern State, The University of North Texas, and the University of Texas at Brownsville for one year.

Junior Storm Cantu said the P.A.S.S app is a safe way for students to get home.

“I’m always sober anyways and the opportunity to help other people is already there,” Storm Cantu said.

However, sophomore Dani Johnson said the app is one she will not be using.

“It might be a waste of my time because all of my friends already contact me if they’re going to parties,” Johnson said.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, last year there were more than 7,000 crashes involving student drivers between the ages of 18 and 24.

“The more education we can put out there, hopefully we can make one or two students stop, think and  be responsible then it’s worth the time and effort,” Williams said.

University police officials said they believe the app is a step in the right direction.

Students can download the pass app at www.thepassapp.com

SEE THE WICHITAN STORY HERE.