HOUSTON, Texas – We did it! The year 2023 is coming to an end. There’s no better way to ring in the new year than celebrating with some of your friends and family.
Wait. There’s actually an even better way. Celebrating safely.
It’s no secret. The New Year’s holiday is a big drinking holiday.
If you plan on partaking in the party, having the best time takes a backseat when it comes to making sure you get home safely.
How to get home New Year’s Eve
There are several ways that you can get to and from your plans to ring in the new year. Psst! Some are even free!
METRO wants you to leave the driving to them on New Year’s Eve.
Starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday and running through 6 a.m. on Sunday, local bus, METRORail, METRORapid and METROLift services will be completely free.
However, plan ahead. METRO will operate on a Sunday schedule. To learn more about that, visit the METRO website.
If you’re looking for an alternative route, there’s always rideshare.
But we know Uber and Lyft can get pricey on big nights. However, local law office Armstrong, Lee and Baker is offering free Uber, Lyft and cab rides in Houston.
Their plan is simple. They’ll reimburse you for up to $35 to anywhere in the Houston metro area if you take a safe ride home on New Year’s Eve.
There’s a catch. The offer is only good for the first 50 people to apply. If you want to submit your receipt for reimbursement, you can do so on their website.
What about Tipsy Tow?
For a long time, a popular option for partygoers that had a little too much to drink has been Tipsy Tow.
This is a service that was offered by AAA. You could call and have a tow truck drive come and tow you car home if you were too drunk to drive.
However, AAA tells KPRC 2 that the Tipsy Tow program has been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tipsy Tow was suspended during COVID for the safety of our independent service provider drivers and is no longer being offered in Texas, and many other states, due to the rise in popularity of ridesharing services,” an AAA spokesperson said.
Drinking and driving can have real consequences
The reality is, not everyone will make the right decision to take a safe and sober ride home.
According to data compiled by TxDOT, there were 65 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes during the 2022 New Year’s holiday time period in the Houston area, including Harris, Waller, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Montgomery and Galveston Counties.
Those accidents killed two people and seriously injured three others.
However, that’s just a drop in the bucket when it comes to the bigger issue.
Here’s some data we collected about crashes and DUI-alcohol related crashes in 2022:
- In the Houston District in 2022, there were 151,169 traffic crashes, resulting in 764 fatalities and 3,962 serious injuries.
- In the Houston District in 2022, there were 4,911 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in 230 fatalities and 440 serious injuries.
- In the Houston District, there were 467 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes during the 2022 holiday season time period, resulting in 15 fatalities and 26 serious injuries.
Each and every crash impacts a family, many of which have lost a loved one.
Losing loved ones
It’s an unbearable thought to lose one family member to a crash. However, Charisse Thomas has gone through the pain and agony twice.
In 2020, a drunk drive in broad daylight hit her 18-year-old daughter, Destani Oliver, while driving the wrong way in Pasadena. Destani didn’t survive.
“This feels like yesterday,” Thomas said. “Every time the holidays come around, it feels like yesterday because I’m reliving that over and over again. The pain is not as strong, but the feeling is still the same. It could have been avoided.”
One year later, Thomas relived that pain and tragedy again. This time in another accident that could have been avoided.
This time her four-month-old grandson, Caarson Jordan, killed after a driver ran a red light in downtown Houston and t-boned her car.
Charisse: “He ran a light trying to beat the light and, you know, just wasn’t paying attention and he T-boned us. And my daughter was 23. And to have to make a decision whether your child lives at 23 is hard, you know, for a young person. And he was only four months. You know. So it’s. It’s just. Just don’t do it. It is all I can say.”
Gage: “What do you say to people before they head out.”
Charisse: “If you have to go out and celebrate, get a sober driver. You know, take a Uber, a Lyft. Call me. I’ll come pick you up. I mean, anything to not have a parent walk a day in my shoes.”
Law enforcement is looking for impaired drivers
To help stop accidents before they happen, law enforcement around the area is taking proactive measures to spot and stop impaired drivers.
Many people were arrested last night. They didnt believe us when we said we would be out in search for intoxicated drivers this holiday weekend. Dont make the same mistake they did. Make a plan for a sober ride home. Keep our roadways safe.@HCSOTexas @HCSO_MajorCed @TxDOTHouston pic.twitter.com/EgfDkkXQHy
— HCSO Vehicular Crimes Division (@HCSO_VCD) December 31, 2023
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced a DWI crackdown ahead of the New Year holiday.
“If you’re drunk driving this weekend, you’re going to jail,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said earlier this week.
TxDOT is also ramping up their statewide campaign “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” Their goal is raise awareness to the dangers and the potential costs of driving under the influence.
“A DWI can cost up to $17,000 in fines and fees and lead to jail time,” said Ruby Martinez, TxDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Loss of a driver’s license, difficulty finding or keeping a job, loss of trust from loved ones, and a lifetime of regret.”