HAMPTON ROADS — Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is sponsoring the 757 Sober Ride campaign this New Year’s Eve from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, until 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1
The program offers free or reduced Lyft sober rides to impaired drivers throughout Hampton Roads on New Year’s Eve 2024.
Since its Cinco de Mayo campaign in 2022, 757 Sober Ride has provided 3,293 safe rides homes in 23 campaigns, the organization said.
During the active period this New Year’s Eve, area residents 21 and older who are celebrating with alcohol, legal, or illegal drugs, may download the Lyft app to their phones, enter the 757 Sober Ride code in the app’s “Payment” tab (under the “Add Lyft Pass” option) and receive no-cost (up to $15) safe transportation home.
DSHR’s New Year’s Eve 757 Sober Ride promo code will be posted at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at DriveSafeHR.org/757-sober-ride. it said. The code can be used only during the active period for rides originating from or having a destination within Hampton Roads, are subject to Lyft’s Terms of Service and valid while supplies last.
DSHR notes there were 85 crashes, involving four fatalities, and 60 injuries during New Year’s Eve 2023 and New Year’s Day 2024 in Hampton Roads, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles TREDS Report. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 375 people may die on U.S. roads during the 2024 New Year’s holiday period. This estimate is down 8% from the 408 deaths estimated during the 2023 New Year’s holiday period.
Although it is illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, DSHR said in 2021, one person was killed every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation’s roads, according to National Safety Council data.
During the 2021 New Year’s holiday period, 40% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver, likely when bars are closing, and people are driving home, it added, citing Traffic Safety Marketing data.
To reduce injuries and fatalities in Hampton Roads, DSHR partners with Lyft to provide reduced ride fares — up to $15 — to help get people home safely. Sponsors include Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-law and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“It is critical that anyone heading out to a bar or party to plan for a sober driver to see them home safely,” said Jonathan Turner, 757 Sober Ride Chairperson. “If you have a holiday gathering on your calendar, make smart choices and plan how you’re going to get home safely once the celebration ends. We want drivers to take this night seriously. Driving drunk is deadly, and its preventable, no one should ever take that risk.”
Designated drivers must commit to 100% sobriety to keep everyone safe. Those who see an impaired driver on the road should contact local law enforcement immediately. And, if a friend is about to drive impaired, take away their keys and help them decide how to get them home safely.
Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is a nonprofit regional coalition whose mission is to improve highway safety and reduce injuries and deaths from vehicle crashes.
