After midnight, New Years celebrations end, and millions take to roads and public transportation to make their way home. The combination of the sheer number of travelers plus the inevitability of irresponsibly impaired drivers makes for a dangerous evening on the roads and one of the deadliest days for drunk driving in our nation. Over 50% of accidents on New Year's Day involve high blood alcohol concentration.

The National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign not only spreads the message of safe driving during the season, but also comes with a national crackdown through drunk driving enforcement. Officers across the country will be on high alert, making every effort to keep roads safer for travelers heading to or from family visits.

New Year's Safety Tips

• Plan your travel options ahead of time, arranging for a designated driver, a hotel stay, a ride share, or simply plan to stay where you’re celebrating, if you decide to drink alcohol.

• Drink responsibly and know your limits. Even if you don’t plan to consume alcohol, others around you may and that will present its own hazards.

• Use public transportation or ride shares both to and from your destination so you can avoid leaving your car in a strange place overnight.

• If you must leave your car, park in a populated, well-lit area. Roll up windows, lock all doors and ensure all valuables are left at home or secured out of sight. New Year’s Day is the most active holiday for car thefts.

• Bring only what you need with you – including identification, money and one credit card. Leave any department store cards or unneeded valuables at home.
• New Year's Day is also the most hazardous day of the year for pedestrians. Not only are drivers potentially impaired, but those on foot can also ignore traffic lights or crosswalks. If you are walking, make sure to stay on pedestrian paths, observe traffic laws, only cross at crosswalks, and try to remain in well-lit areas. If you are driving, take extra care to consider those traveling on foot.