- DUIs and the holiday season: Why holidays are so risky
- What are the highest-risk days for drunk driving crashes?
- What are the consequences of a holiday DUI?
- Holiday DUIs and auto insurance: How much will a DUI cost you?
- DUI penalties: Why it’s important to avoid a DUI conviction
- What are the options for getting home safely during the holidays?
- Tips for holiday parties to prevent drunk driving
- FAQ: DUIs and the holidays
DUIs and the holiday season: Why holidays are so risky
During the holidays, there are more people on the road, and events involving alcohol are more frequent. That's a very risky combination, and drunk-driving-related fatalities increase during holiday periods. NSC data show that the number of alcohol-related fatal crashes increases by an average of 6% on Christmas and New Year's.
Factors that drive holiday DUI risk include:
- More parties and events that include alcohol
- Late-night driving after parties
- Longer trips to visit family and friends
- A shift to a "holiday mindset" where people may relax the rules and indulge more than usual
What are the highest-risk days for drunk driving crashes?
While the biggest days for drunk-driving crashes occur during the summer, there's an uptick in crashes on specific days during the holiday season, starting at Thanksgiving through New Year's Day (note that it's not New Year's Eve because most people leave parties after midnight).
The NSC's estimates for 2025 holiday fatalities involving drunk driving are:
- Thanksgiving Day: 439 deaths
- Christmas Day: 131 deaths
- New Year's Day: 179 deaths
Although Thanksgiving has the highest rate of fatal crashes involving alcohol, ongoing parties and celebrations in December mean more fatal crashes that month than in November. Per the NHTSC stats for 2023:
- In November, 7.4% of fatal crashes involved alcohol
- In December, 8.4% of fatal crashes involved alcohol
What are the consequences of a holiday DUI?
A DUI over the holidays is more than an inconvenience. It can affect your life and wallet for years to come.
Legal consequences of a holiday DUI
Depending on your state, you may face a long list of legal consequences:
- Arrest, jail and criminal charges
- License suspension (or even revocation if it's not your first DUI)
- Fines and court fees that can add up to thousands of dollars
- Mandatory participation in alcohol education or treatment programs
- Probation or even a prison sentence
- Mandated installation of an ignition interlock device at your expense that prevents you from starting your car until you breathe into the device to detect any alcohol
And if someone is injured or killed, you could face much more severe legal penalties, including charges of vehicular manslaughter.
Other impacts of a DUI: Financial and life-changing
In addition to the legal ramifications, there are other ways a DUI can impact your life:
- Increased insurance rates for three or more years
- Potential difficulty obtaining insurance, particularly if you have other issues on your driving record
- Difficulty obtaining employment, particularly in any sector that requires you to drive
Holiday DUIs and auto insurance: How much will a DUI cost you?
Here’s how much car insurance after a DUI costs, on average, by state.
| State | Average annual premium for clean record | Average annual premium with a DUI offence |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,286 | $1,855 |
| Alabama | $1,503 | $2,356 |
| Arkansas | $1,475 | $2,442 |
| Arizona | $1,665 | $2,737 |
| California | $2,206 | $6,111 |
| Colorado | $1,970 | $3,002 |
| Connecticut | $1,461 | $2,587 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,909 | $3,050 |
| Delaware | $1,730 | $2,693 |
| Florida | $2,927 | $3,997 |
| Georgia | $1,597 | $2,837 |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $4,150 |
| Iowa | $1,241 | $1,790 |
| Idaho | $1,015 | $1,670 |
| Illinois | $1,368 | $2,388 |
| Indiana | $1,279 | $2,060 |
| Kansas | $1,488 | $2,492 |
| Kentucky | $1,857 | $3,201 |
| Louisiana | $3,121 | $4,876 |
| Massachusetts | $1,760 | $3,137 |
| Maryland | $1,981 | $3,163 |
| Maine | $1,072 | $1,579 |
| Michigan | $4,013 | $10,260 |
| Minnesota | $1,699 | $3,375 |
| Missouri | $2,403 | $3,376 |
| Mississippi | $1,407 | $2,378 |
| Montana | $1,766 | $2,786 |
| North Carolina | $1,396 | $5,726 |
| North Dakota | $1,239 | $2,163 |
| Nebraska | $1,861 | $3,246 |
| New Hampshire | $949 | $1,595 |
| New Jersey | $2,228 | $3,850 |
| New Mexico | $1,686 | $2,423 |
| Nevada | $2,371 | $3,885 |
| New York | $1,822 | $2,718 |
| Ohio | $1,110 | $1,688 |
| Oklahoma | $1,836 | $2,628 |
| Oregon | $1,461 | $2,283 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,297 | $2,072 |
| Rhode Island | $1,793 | $3,081 |
| South Carolina | $1,804 | $2,662 |
| South Dakota | $1,585 | $2,920 |
| Tennessee | $1,308 | $2,124 |
| Texas | $1,969 | $2,947 |
| Utah | $1,582 | $2,381 |
| Virginia | $1,230 | $1,819 |
| Vermont | $1,081 | $1,779 |
| Washington | $1,325 | $2,338 |
| Wisconsin | $1,587 | $2,795 |
| West Virginia | $1,413 | $2,485 |
| Wyoming | $1,812 | $3,141 |
DUI penalties: Why it’s important to avoid a DUI conviction
Impaired driving is illegal in every state, but the penalties can vary significantly. The most common consequences for driving under the influence include fines, driver's license suspension, car impoundment, and even jail time. Additionally, drivers convicted of a DUI are often required to attend alcohol education programs and complete community service.
Here’s a look at DUI penalties by state.
| Increased penalty for high BAC | License suspension - first offense | Limited driving privileges during suspension | Ignition interlock | Open container laws | Repeat offender laws |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.15 | 90 days | None | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15), repeat offenders, if there's a child under the age of 14 in the car | Yes | Yes |
Depending on the state and the severity of the offense, a DUI can be categorized as either a misdemeanor or a felony, and penalties tend to be more severe for repeat offenders.
What are the options for getting home safely during the holidays?
Planning ahead for how you are going to get home is the best way to avoid a holiday DUI. Here are some of the best options for a safe ride.
A designated driver
Choosing a driver ahead of time who agrees not to drink and will drive everyone home is one of the easiest ways to avoid a DUI. It's not unusual for events to offer free non-alcoholic beverages to designated drivers as a perk of agreeing to stay sober.
Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft)
Rideshare services give drivers an easy, inexpensive, and reliable way to get home after indulging in alcohol at a holiday event. Studies in recent years have shown a 6.1% decrease in fatalities due to the use of rideshare services.
“Impaired driving is 100% preventable, and with so many options available, like Uber, there is never an excuse to get behind the wheel impaired,” says Gabriela Condarco-Quesada, safety communications representative for Uber. “Studies show that Uber plays an important role in reducing impaired driving, and this holiday season, we’re proud to do our part and encourage everyone to plan ahead and make smart choices to avoid drinking and driving.”
Uber has partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Governors Highway Safety Association to reduce impaired driving. In 2023, Uber pledged $500,000 to reduce drunk driving in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, and Texas, which have the highest drunk driving fatality numbers.
Public transportation
Taking the bus, subway or train is an easy way to get home safely if you've been drinking. And, if you go to the party using public transport, leaving your car at home, there's no tempation to get behind the wheel.
Some cities and states offer free mass transit on holidays, such as buses and subways, and extend transit hours.
Sponsored programs
Several organizations sponsor programs that help people get home safely:
- The AAA Tow to Go program will tow your vehicle and you anywhere within a 10-mile radius, whether you’re a member or not. The program is available in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina and Indiana.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed a SaferRide app that allows users to get a taxi, call a friend, or find their location. You can program a number to call for a ride ahead of time, making it easy to avoid driving.
Tips for holiday parties to prevent drunk driving
If you’re hosting a holiday gathering:
- Offer plenty of non-alcoholic options
- Stop serving alcohol well before the event is scheduled to end
- Check in with guests who have been drinking and help arrange safe rides
- Offer to have guests stay the night if possible.
If you’re a guest:
- Be honest with yourself about how much you’ve had.
- Don’t hesitate to leave your car and pick it up the next day if needed
- Step in if a friend is about to drive after drinking and offer alternatives and support rather than judgment
- Support the host in all efforts to prevent another guest from drinking and driving
Sources:
- National Safety Council. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimates.” Accessed December 2025
- National Bureau of Economic Research. “Uber and Alcohol-Related Fatalities.” Accessed December 2025.
- National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts.” Accessed December 2025
FAQ: DUIs and the holidays
What are the lesser-known alternative transportation options during the holiday season?
Some lesser-known options for a safe ride home include programs sponsored by local governments or businesses. Check what’s available in your area.
What states offer help for safe rides during holidays?
Many cities and states offer ways to get home safely during the holiday season. For example, the Deleware Office of Highway Safety provides rideshare vouchers up to $20 for anyone needing a safe way home during designated times.
On New Year’s Eve, Los Angeles offers free bus and rail rides, while New York City provides free subway rides. Additionally, public transit in Washington, D.C., will run later than usual on New Year’s Eve.
Check with your city and state transit authorities to see if they offer safe ways home during the holidays.
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