We know they're supposed to hit the books, but when students at one area college hit the streets they can take advantage of a unique program to keep them safe and sound.

A safe ride program isn't uncommon on a college campus, but at Wayne State College Wildcat Wheels is especially popular. Since it started in 2005, they've taken over 20,000 students home safely.

Every Thursday night, as well as Halloween and St. Patrick's Day, Wildcat Wheels is on call from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Why Thursdays? Well, it's the biggest social night of the week in Wayne.

"I have a safe ride that's free, I don't have to have my friends drive me, they could be drinking or they could not be. I don't have to rely on people. I could just call up Wildcat Wheels, they'll come pick me up, give me a safe ride. I don't have to walk or fall on myself or anything like that so it's a good situation," said student Nick Langer, a regular rider.

A group of six Wayne State students take turns working dispatch. Three cabs are commissioned out of Norfolk to take students wherever they need to go in Wayne.

They do everything from picking kids up at the library, taking them to and from the bar, even taking them on food runs.

"Sometimes I have a lot of tests and stuff and homework on Thursday night's and everything so I'm staying in and I get really hungry like right now, it's late, so it's good to catch a late meal," said student Chance Boden as he waited in line at the McDonald's drive thru in one of the taxis.

Some might see the program as promoting drinking on campus, but students say Wildcat Wheels is just keeping kids safe.

"They'd just be drinking anyways," said student Jacob Arkfeld. "I don't think it encourages it, it's just a helpful way to help kids."

"We're not promoting drinking, we're just trying to help people out when you know cops are going to be out real, real tough on Thursdays," said Jessie Baxter, Head Dispatcher of the program.

For the three drivers who work the shift, it comes with a few benefits.

"They want to give you a kiss before they get out and they want to take their picture with you," said driver Tim Miller.

Then again, it can occasionally be a dirty job when a student gets sick in the backseat. But, all things considered, the drivers say they know what they're doing makes a difference.

"A lot of them would be in trouble if the cabs weren't here," said Miller.

The student dispatchers also get a lot of satisfaction knowing they're fellow Wildcats are getting home safely.

"It really hits home," said Baxter. "Recently one of my friends died in a drunk car accident, he hit a tree, and we went to high school together and it was really tough, and I thought to myself 'hey, I'm in a program at Wayne State. I prevent this from happening.'"

The Wildcat Wheels program is paid for with student fees.