- Can ridesharing services help decrease road fatalities?
- DUI penalties: Why it’s important to avoid a DUI conviction
- Other ways to get a ride home during the holidays
- Which states have the most drunk driving accidents?
- Tips to prevent DUI convictions during the holiday season
- Drunk driving incidents during holidays
- FAQ
Can ridesharing services help decrease road fatalities?
Studies in recent years have shown a 6.1% decrease in fatalities due to the use of rideshare services.
On average, drunk drivers are involved in approximately 32% of vehicle fatalities in the U.S., and this number rises to 37% on New Year’s Eve/Day and 38% over Christmas, making this holiday period a very dangerous time for fatal accidents.
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 345 people will be killed in drunk driving accidents over Christmas of 2024, and another 375 over New Year’s. The NSC estimates each year’s fatalities based on past data. These statistics exclude DUIs that do not result in deaths, which significantly increases the overall statistics for impaired driving.
Rideshare services give drivers an easy, inexpensive, and reliable way to get home after indulging in alcohol at a holiday event.
“Impaired driving is 100% preventable, and with so many options available, like Uber, there is never an excuse to get behind the wheel impaired,” said 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.
Lyft’s Safety Advisory Council also partners with local and national organizations to prevent drunk driving.
With rideshare companies offering impaired drivers a safe way home, there is no reason to get behind the wheel after drinking.
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.
| State | Increased penalty for high BAC | License suspension - first offense | Limited driving privileges during suspension | Ignition interlock | Open container laws | Repeat offender laws |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 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 |
| Alaska | None | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | No | No |
| Arizona | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | None | 6 months | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| California | 0.15 | 4 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all repeat and injury involved offenses, first-time injury or vehicular manslaughter offenses | Yes | No |
| Colorado | 0.15 | 3 months | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15), repeat offenders, highly incentivized for first conviction | Yes | No |
| Connecticut | None | 90 days | Yes | Highly incentivized for all convictions | No | Yes |
| Delaware | 0.15 | 3 months | No | Highly incentivized for all convictions | No | Yes |
| District of Columbia | 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 | 2-90 days or until deposition | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | 0.2 | 6 months for DUI, 12 months for refusal | DUI: After 30 days, Refusal: After 90 days | None | Yes | Yes |
| Hawaii | None | 3 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | No | No |
| Idaho | 0.2 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | 0.16 | 6 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions; Highly incentivized for first convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | 0.15 | 180 days | Available immediately | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | No |
| Iowa | 0.15 | 180 days | After 30 days | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | 0.15 | 30 days | None | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | 0.15 | 30-120 days | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | 0.2 | 12 months | Yes (with the exception of a 2nd conviction having a 0.2 BAC, then eligible only after 45 days of suspension has expired) | Mandatory for all convictions | No | No |
| Maine | 0.15 | 150 days | Yes | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | 0.15 | 180 days for both 0.8 and 0.15, for first offense | Yes, with interlock | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 0.2 | 90 days | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | 0.17 | 30-180 days | After 45 days | Mandatory for high BAC (0.17) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | 0.16 | 90 days | After 15 days | Highly incentivized for high BAC (0.16) and repeat convictions | Yes | No |
| Mississippi | None | 90 days | None | Mandatory for all convictions | No | Yes |
| Missouri | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days (restricted) | Mandatory for repeat convictions | No | Yes |
| Montana | 0.16 | 6 months | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | No |
| Nebraska | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Nevada | 0.18 | 90 days | After 45 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | 0.16 | 6 months | None | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | 0.1 | 3 months | None | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | 0.16 (with mandatory jail on all offenses) | Under 21: 1 year 21 and over: 6 months | Immediately with ignition interlock | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| New York | 0.18 | Yes | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | 0.15 | 30 days | After 10 days | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 or higher) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | 0.18 | 91 days | After 30 days | Discretionary | Yes | No |
| Ohio | 0.17 | 90 days | After 15 days | Mandatory for repeat convictions | No | No |
| Oklahoma | 0.15 | 180 days | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 or higher) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions and diversions | Yes | No |
| Pennsylvania | 0.1 and 0.16 | None | Uses programs called Occupational Limited License (OLL) and Ignition Interlock Limited License (IILL) | Mandatory for high BAC (0.1 or higher) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | 0.1 and 0.15 | 30-180 days | None | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | No |
| South Carolina | 0.10 and 0.16 | 1 month (for BAC 0.15 or higher) | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | No |
| South Dakota | 0.17 | 30 days | Yes | Discretionary | Yes | No |
| Tennessee | 0.2 | 1 year | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | No | Yes |
| Texas | 0.15 | 90 days for BAC 0.8 or greater, 180 days for refusal | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions and first time offenders with BAC greater than 0.15 | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | 0.16 | 120 days | None | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Vermont | None | 90 days | None | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | No |
| Virginia | 0.15 and 0.2 | 7 days | None | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | No | Yes |
| Washington | 0.15 | 90 days | With an ignition interlock driver's license | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | No |
| West Virginia | 0.15 | 6 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 or higher) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 0.17, 0.20 and 0.25 | 6-9 months | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 or higher) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming | 0.15 | 90 days | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 or higher) and repeat convictions | No | No |
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. However, first-time offenders can still face fines of thousands of dollars, and their insurance rates may increase by as much as 127%.
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 |
A rideshare service can help you avoid DUI penalties and protect yourself and others. If you might be tempted to drive home after drinking, consider taking a rideshare to the event instead. This proactive approach helps eliminate the temptation to get behind the wheel.
Other ways to get a ride home during the holidays
Planning how you’re going to get home after drinking saves you time, money, and regret. Fortunately, there are many options to help you stay safe during the holidays.
Rideshares are an excellent way to get a safe ride home. If you can’t afford a ride, many other ways exist to avoid getting behind the wheel. Many rideshares offer free or discounted rides on holidays. Additionally, some businesses, such as law firms, offer free ride vouchers for rideshare services, such as Uber or Lyft.
Some cities and states offer free mass transit on holidays, such as bus and subway, and extend transit hours.
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.
Which states have the most drunk driving accidents?
In 2023, Montana, Wyoming, and Texas topped the list of states with the most drunk drivers. Washington, D.C., had the fewest drunk driving incidents. New Jersey and Deleware also had very few.
California, Texas, and Florida had the most traffic fatalities. However, South Carolina, Connecticut, and Montana had the highest percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
Tips to prevent DUI convictions during the holiday season
Not only does a DUI cost thousands of dollars in fines, but a DUI conviction significantly increases car insurance rates and negatively impacts your life. Fortunately, it is easy to avoid a DUI on your record.
Prevent a DUI by:
- Planning ahead. Think about where you’re going and if you’ll likely be drinking while there.
- Choosing a designated driver. Getting behind the wheel while impaired isn’t an option, so find someone who won’t drink to drive you home.
- Learning about free transportation offered in your area. Many cities and states offer free rides during the holidays to prevent drunk driving.
- Installing a rideshare app on your phone. Instead of driving to and from an event, use a rideshare like Uber or Lyft to increase safety.
- Staying where you are. Ask before the event to see if you can spend the night.
Drunk driving incidents during holidays
Drunk driving incidents increase dramatically around holidays. Americans tend to drink twice as much alcohol during holidays than on regular days.
In December 2022, 1,062 people died from accidents involving impaired drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) latest data. Higher alcohol consumption, winter weather conditions, and fewer daylight hours make New Year’s Eve one of the most dangerous days to be on the road. Additionally, drivers were more likely to be involved in a drunk driving fatality between 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day. It’s also the most dangerous day for pedestrians.
Here’s a look at the percent of traffic fatalities that involved impaired driving by holiday, based on NHTSA data for 2022:
- New Year’s Eve/Day: 37%
- Memorial Day: 43%
- Fourth of July: 40%
- Labor Day: 39%
- Thanksgiving: 35%
- Christmas: 38%
Memorial Day has the highest incidence of alcohol-related fatalities; however, Christmas and New Year’s Eve fall within a week of each other, making the last week of the year the most dangerous overall.
Sources:
- National Safety Council. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimates.” Accessed December 2024
- National Bureau of Economic Research. “Uber and Alcohol-Related Fatalities.” Accessed December 2024.
- National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts.” Accessed December 2024
- National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration.“Drive Sober this December.” Accessed December 2024
FAQ
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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