Travel Officials Warn Drivers To Drive Sober, Or Stay Home On New Year's Eve
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — While many people will be celebrating New Year's Eve, the roads can be especially dangerous.
"People are staying up after 12 a.m. and nothing good happens after 12 a.m.," driver Claire Esham said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,500 people died in alcohol-related crashes last year.
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"It is unsafe, I mean people still do, despite all the efforts people still go out and drive like that, especially on New Year's Eve," said driver Daniel Yates.
Officials said the stretch between Christmas and New Year's is one of the deadliest times in the year when it comes to accidents involving drunk drivers.
"We also know that New Years Day is particularly dangerous, deadly on the roadways with people out celebrating the night before," said Ragina Ali with AAA-Mid Atlantic.
To protect yourself, and those on the road with you, AAA officials say the best thing to do is plan ahead.
"And if they know they'll be drinking during the holidays, to not even consider getting behind the wheel, not even after one drink to designate a sober driver in their party or to take a ride-sharing program or service such as Lyft or Uber," Ali said.
Or, people can stay home and avoid it altogether.
"Just take it easy and enjoy watching the ball drop in New York or the Harbor on TV, whatever's on television," Yates said.