A program that offers free cab rides home to people who’ve been drinking is helping to slash drunken driving rates.

It has worked so well in Isanti County that communities around the nation are taking notice.

An Isanti County judge released detailed statistics on Thursday on how the program saves lives.

More than 1,100 people in the county have taken a free or discounted cab ride home over the last two years.

"Where would you rather wake up in the morning? In your own home? Or in the Isanti County jail?" said bar owner Loren Davis.

Davis is among those who have been encouraging their costumers to take advantage of the Safe Cab program.

"The average cost per person since the inception of safe cab program is $5.75," said Safe Cab spokesman Pete Brown.

Up to $15 is paid, but most people are able to make the ride home for free.

"Says it all, a DWI $20,000. A safe cab free, public safety, priceless," said Isanti County Judge James Dehn.

Since Safe Cab started in December of 2005, Dehn has noticed a difference. Blood alcohol levels and the percentage of arrested tracked back to local bars have steadily declined three years in a row.

"We went from 23, or 24 to four or three this past year," said bar owner Ron Nelson.

With the positive changes, safe cab organizers now hope to expand the program.

"Arrests are going up, fatalities are going down. We are saving lives," said Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson.

Judge Dehn credits the Safe Cab program with the drastic drop in DUI cases in his courtroom. But he said the community’s work isn’t over yet.

"One of our goals and challenges if you're going to drink at home, stay at home," said Dehn.

Several Minnesota lawmakers hope to pass a new law that would take money from the driver’s license reinstatement fees that convicted drunk drivers pay and use it to expand the safe cab program, saving taxpayers money.