Hampton Roads residents who choose to go out for New Years Eve can look forward to a night with friends and family, fireworks, dinner, drinks, live music and more.
But for some, New Year’s Eve can take a serious turn if alcohol is involved, resulting in jail, a DUI charge, or something even more serious.
The holiday season is one of the deadliest times for alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities, according to AAA Tidewater Virginia.
There are several transportation-related companies who have residents’ backs if they’ve drank too much to put the keys in the ignition.
AAA Tipsy Tow
Like New Year’s Eves in the past, AAA Tidewater Virginia is offering its annual Tipsy Tow program until 6 a.m. Jan. 1.
If residents call 800-AAA-HELP and say they need a Tipsy Tow, a tow truck will meet the driver and take them and their vehicle home.
The program is free to both AAA members and non-members.
Tipsy Tow does not include rides for passengers, and is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver. The destination is limited to the driver’s residence.
Services cover the Greater Hampton Roads area including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York County and Williamsburg.
Lyft
While Lyft is not offering any Hampton Roads-specific deals or promotions for New Year’s Eve, those traveling to Washington, D.C. for the holiday may be in luck.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program has partnered with Lyft for the SoberRide program.
New and existing Lyft riders can get a free Lyft ride home up to $15 with a special code from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. starting on Dec. 20 until Jan.1.
The SoberRide code will be released to the public at 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 20, 27 and 31, according to the Sober Ride flyer.
“We encourage Lyft riders to ride smart and plan ahead for a responsible ride home when ringing in 2019 with friends and family,” said Steve Taylor, general manager for Lyft Mid-Atlantic, said in a 2018 interview with WYDaily. “We’ll also be there all night to support drivers on the road who want to take advantage of this additional earning opportunity.”
Uber
Like Lyft, Uber will not have any promotion codes for the Hampton Roads region.
Uber has paired with Mothers Against Drunk Driving for a holiday campaign this year called “Reasons To Ride,” which encourages “everyone to forget the excuses and get home safely —whether it’s a bus, a designated driver or requesting an Uber.”
