New Year's Eve is known for loud parties, loud music, and watching the ball drop. Ringing in the new year is a timeless tradition but comes with new dangers each year.
Due to the average annual drunk driving fatalities rising, local law enforcement agencies like Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office and the Fort Bend Constable's Office have vowed to crack down on potential drivers operating vehicles while under the influence. Similar to their "No Refusal" initiative over the Labor Day weekend earlier this year, more officers and patrols will be on the streets this weekend.
Fort Bend County Emergency Services District No. 7 (FBCESD 7) and Fresno Fire Department are urging New Year's Eve revelers to be safe and "have a plan," to get home safely without drinking and driving after celebrating the new year.
"You can be doing everything right and still be hit by a drunk driver," said John McNamee with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "It can injure you. It can kill you, and create lots of havoc and lots of carnage, and drunk driving is a choice. Someone made a choice to do that."
Don't drink and drive
If you plan on drinking to celebrate the holidays, make sure you plan your ride or accommodations such as a ride share. Drunk driving is illegal and entirely preventable with the right planning.
Rideshare
The rideshare company UBER is offering Houstonians a $20 ride credit to help prevent impaired driving this holiday season as part of a grant partnership with the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Local riders anywhere in the Houston area, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, and Waller County, can enter the code " TXDOT20" in the Uber app to use this offer through Jan. 14, 2022 between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m., according to a release. The code is valid while supplies last. For more information, click here: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Uber-wants-Houston-to-drive-safe-this-holiday-16716727.php
Buckle up
When traveling, make sure you and your family members buckle up. Roughly half of Texas roadway fatalities last year involved a victim who was not wearing a safety belt.
Get plenty of rest
If you're commuting a long way for a holiday get-together, make sure you're well rested or that you can switch with another driver when you start feeling fatigued. Recent studies have shown that driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving drunk.
Obey the rules of the road
Whether you're in your hometown or in a new city or state, always obey the rules of the road and river safely according to the present conditions.
Technology
There is a new application (launched in 2020) for iOS and Android that allows you to track your drinking and measure potential BAC on your phone without additional hardware. More information in the following link: https://prn.to/37mqfYD and the application can be downloaded from the following link: http://My-Limit.com
Reminder: There's no excuse to drink and drive tonight!
