How to Get a Free Ride Home for New Year’s Eve, Depending on Your State

What’s New A number of governments and organizations across the country are hoping to stamp out drunken driving by offering free rides home from New Year’s Eve celebrations. Why It Matters New Year’s Eve is one of the highest-risk days of the year on roads, due in part to drunken and impaired driving caused by increased consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs. What To Know The National Safety Council estimates that around 179 people will die in auto accidents during the New Year’s holiday period, beginning at 6 p.m. December 31 and lasting throughout New Year’s Day on January 1. Does Uber or Lyft Offer Free Rides on New Year’s Eve? While neither Uber nor Lyft are directly offering free rides on New Year’s Eve, a variety of groups peppered throughout the country are attempting to prevent drunken driving by offering vouchers that can be used with the ride-share companies on New Year’s Eve. Free bus and train rides are being offered in many more areas. A man’s hand is pictured holding car keys and a glass of alcohol in this undated file photo. Local governments and private organizations are offering free rides on New Year’s Eve as part of an… A man’s hand is pictured holding car keys and a glass of alcohol in this undated file photo. Local governments and private organizations are offering free rides on New Year’s Eve as part of an effort to prevent drunken driving. aaron007 Where Are Free Rides Available? The following is a list of some of the areas across the country where free rides are being offered using public transportation on New Year’s Eve: A limited number of free vouchers and coupons that can be used for New Year’s Eve rides with companies like Uber and Lyft are being offered by several municipalities and private groups in many states. Here is a small selection: What People Are Saying Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said in a press release announcing a matching donation partnership with Uber this month: “Impaired driving is 100% preventable, and with options like Uber readily available, there is no excuse to drive impaired. Research shows that Uber’s presence in cities has contributed to a reduction in alcohol-related fatalities.” What Happens Next Additional programs and offers for free transportation on New Year’s Eve may be available throughout the country. Regardless of the availability of free rides, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains illegal in every state.