Safety Tips to Avoid Drunk Driving Car Accidents on New Years

It seems like yesterday we were happily saying goodbye to 2020 and ringing in 2021. This year has quickly come and gone and now we’re welcoming in 2022! New Years Eve can be a fun holiday to celebrate with friends and family, but it’s important to consider safety when planning for your upcoming holiday.

New Year’s Eve Safety

Whether you are spending the holiday solo, with a small group of friends or going to a large gathering, here are a few personal safety tips to keep in mind:

Hosting a Party

If you’re hosting a gathering, whether it’s small or large, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you’re serving alcohol make sure you have a safe place for people to crash if they need to stay over. This will help reduce the risk of drunk driving car accidents and ensure your guests stay safe.
• If you’re concerned about the spread of COVID-19, it may be a good idea to ask that invitees have negative COVID-19 test results before arriving. In addition, check with your guests to ensure no recent COVID-19 exposure, create sanitizing stations and consider asking guests to mask up when indoors. To find the most up to date CDC guidelines, check the Centers for Disease Control website.

Attending a Party

If you’re attending a party outside your home, make sure to have a few things lined up:

• Designated a driver if you plan to drink so that you aren’t tempted to drive under the influence. Another option is to use a ride share service like Uber or Lyft. There are also many free ride share services offered around New Years in the metro Atlanta area.
• If you’re concerned about the spread of COVID-19, bring a mask and hand sanitizer so you can stay safe while celebrating 2022 with your friends!
• Make sure you don’t leave your drinks unattended. And if you’re going out with friends it may be a good idea to have a code word for if something is wrong. Check out more information on Banner Health about how you and your friends can stay safe while going out.
• Reduce the risk of auto accidents by planning in advance. If you’re too tired to drive, make sure you have a place to stay. Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

If you’re traveling long distances check out our Holiday Safety Blog for tips on to watch out for drunk driving incidents, changing road conditions and other safety precautions.

Happy New Years from Jones & Swanson!