HAMPTON ROADS — Drive Safe Hampton Roads announced it will offer 757 Sober Rides to alcohol and drug-impaired drivers throughout Hampton Roads this Halloween.
Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) notes that over the 2022 Halloween weekend — Oct. 28-30 — there were 1,171 traffic-related injuries and 12 fatalities on Virginia’s roadways, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
It adds that in the Commonwealth, there were 293 alcohol-related fatalities in 2023, more than a 9% increase over 2022 (273). During the same period, there were 4,400 injuries in alcohol-related crashes in 2023 and 4,174 in 2022, a 9.5% increase, according to DMV statistics.
In Hampton Roads alone, during 2022, there were 49 alcohol-related fatalities and 948 people injured, while there were 58 alcohol-related fatalities and 1,060 injuries in alcohol-related crashes in 2023, an increase of over 8% in each category, according to the DMV numbers.
DSHR reminds those who plan on using alcohol, legal or illegal substances, to never operate a motor vehicle and never let a friend drive if they show signs of impairment. As an alternative this Halloween, Drive Safe HR’s offers 757 Sober Ride powered by Lyft — free or reduced fare rides for alcohol and drug-impaired drivers throughout Hampton Roads.
DSHR is sponsoring 757 Sober Ride in four sessions:
- 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 until 3 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 (Session 1)
- 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 until Sunday, Oct. 27 (Session 2)
- 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 until 3 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1 (Session 3)
- 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 until 3 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 (Session 4)
During those times campaign, area residents 21 years and older celebrating with alcohol, legal or illegal drugs may download the Lyft app to their phones and enter the 757 Sober Ride code in the app’s “Payment” tab (under the “Add Lyft Pass” option) to receive their no-cost (up to $15) safe transportation home.
DSHR said its 2024 Halloween 757 Sober Ride codes will be posted at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 (Session 1), at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 (Session 2), at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31 (Session 3), and 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 (session 4) at DriveSafeHR.org/757-Sober-Ride.
The codes can be used only during the appropriate session and are not interchangeable for the different sessions. Rides must originate from and have a destination within Hampton Roads, are subject to Lyft’s Terms of Service and valid while supplies last.
“On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing, and more. Drinking and driving is a risk no one should take. If you feel different, you will drive differently. Be smart, plan, and use 757 Sober Ride to get home safely. The life you save may be your own, or someone you love.” said Jonathan Turner, 757 Sober Ride Chairperson.
DSHR notes the program is patterned after the highly successful, award-winning SoberRide program conducted by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).
Drive Safe Hampton Roads is a nonprofit regional coalition whose mission is to improve highway safety and reduce injuries and deaths from vehicle crashes. DSHR partners with Lyft, and sponsors of DSHR’s 2024-25 757 Sober Ride campaign include the Christopher King Foundation, Huffman & Huffman, Brothers in Law, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
