New Year’s Eve is almost here, and with it come plenty of celebrations. While participating in the festivities is fun, it can also be dangerous if you plan to drive home after drinking and toasting the New Year.
The National Safety Council projects that 375 people will die over the 2024 New Year’s Day holiday, with alcohol-related incidents accounting for 42% of fatal car accidents. These accidents are particularly likely to occur among young adults aged 21 to 24, who are partying with friends and family.
Stay safe while celebrating
Nobody advocates against celebrating and unwinding with your family and friends on New Year’s Eve. However, it’s wise to prepare ahead for a safe celebration. Here are some tips to help keep you safe as you celebrate.
- Choose a designated driver who won’t drink alcohol during the party. Throughout the evening, order them food and non-alcoholic drinks as a token of appreciation for their willingness to abstain from alcohol.
- Use public transportation. Check ahead of time to see if this is feasible for you, as it is a cheap option.
- Hire a rideshare. Plan to arrive and depart via rideshare, such as Uber or Lyft.
- Reserve a room at a hotel or an Air BNB that’s close enough to walk to after the party. That way, you can safely sleep off the evening’s libations and safely drive home in the morning.
- Decide not to drink. By staying sober, you can provide safe transportation for yourself and your friends and start the New Year on a positive note.
Drinking and driving have the potential to trigger a catastrophic accident that can change your life forever. If you do end up being charged with DUI, seek assistance with the charges lobbied against you.