AAA Offers Safe Rides Home for New Year's Eve

During the last decade, the highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities occurred on New Year’s Day, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

And even though D.C. wasn't rated as one of the top 25 drunkest cities in the United States, there will likely be a lot of imbibing happening in the DMV.

That can make getting home safely tricky, but there is a way back if you find yourself without a designated driver and with empty pockets.

Although AAA is not offering their tipsy tow program in any of the Mid-Atlantic states this New Year's Eve, adult partygoers in the Washington area can take advantage of the SoberRide program, which is co-sponsored by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

On Dec. 31, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., D.C. area residents ages 21 and over can call 1-800-200-8294 to receive a free cab ride home up to a $30 fare.

AT&T customers have it a bit easier and can call #TAXI to get the same service.

WRAP's SoberRide is also available every year on St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day and Halloween.

If you decided to head up to Baltimore to celebrate the holiday, you can call Tipsy Taxi through AAA at 1-877-963-8294 for a free ride home up to a $50 fare on Dec. 31 from midnight to 4 a.m.

If a free ride doesn't convince you, here are some stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

2008 (most recent) - Maryland DUI / Drunk Driving Statistics:

• 138 fatal accidents in Maryland where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.08 percent or above
  
  
• 152 people were killed in Maryland in accidents where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.08 percent or above
  
  
• 34 people were killed in Maryland in accidents where at least one driver had a BAC between 0.01 percent and 0.07 percent
  
  
• 186 total deaths caused in Maryland where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.01 percent or above