Keep the Holidays Bright: Plan Ahead for a Sober Ride Home

By: George Kucik

The holiday season is filled with festive gatherings - office parties, family celebrations, and nights out with friends. While these moments bring joy, they also come with increased risks on our roadways. During the holidays, impaired driving crashes rise, and one poor decision can have life-changing consequences. Planning ahead for a sober ride home is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep yourself, and others, safe.

Whether it’s alcohol or cannabis, impaired is impaired. Even if you feel “okay” to drive, substances can slow reaction time, affect judgment, and reduce awareness. Impaired driving puts everyone on the road at risk, including passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers.

Increased Enforcement During the Holidays

From December 10, 2025, through January 1, 2026, law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region will partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. During this period, enforcement efforts will be stepped up throughout the District to deter impaired driving and help prevent crashes before they happen.

As you enjoy holiday celebrations, make a plan to get home safely before the night begins. Designate a sober driver, arrange a ride in advance, or plan to use public transportation. If you find yourself impaired, do not drive—call a taxi, use a rideshare service, or reach out to a sober friend or family member.

Remember, in the District of Columbia, it is illegal to operate or to be in physical control of any vehicle while intoxicated or while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of the two.  See D.C. Code §50-2206.11 (2014 Repl.).  In DC, first offenders face up to 180 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and other court costs, along with a driver’s license suspension or revocation of six months to one year.  Suspected impaired drivers may also face heightened penalties and mandatory minimum jail terms for operating impaired with minors in their vehicle, having certain types of drugs or high blood alcohol concentrations in their system, and for operating commercial vehicles, including taxicabs.

Take Advantage of SoberRide

To make planning even easier, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s Holiday SoberRide program will be available nightly from December 19, 2025, through January 1, 2026, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

During these hours, individuals 21 years of age or older who may be impaired can redeem a $15 SoberRide credit through the Lyft app by entering the nightly SoberRide promo code in the app’s promo section. New codes are released each night, and riders are responsible for any fare amount over $15.

Planning ahead for a sober ride isn’t just responsible, it’s an act of care for your community. This holiday season, make safety part of the celebration and help keep everyone on the road safe.

For more information, visit: https://wrap.org/soberride/