Free rides home will be available in Arlington and elsewhere in the D.C. area this weekend.
The regional SoberRide program, provided through a partnership between Lyft and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, will offer one free ride of up to $15 per customer.
Up to 2,500 total rides will be available from 4 p.m. on Saturday until 4 a.m. on Sunday. A Lyft promo code will appear on SoberRide.com on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The anti-drunk-driving promotion is taking place on the weekend before Halloween. Around this time last year, WRAP President Kurt Erickson told ARLnow, SoberRide provided a record-setting 1,321 rides.
“The only reason that stands out is the fact that this is a 33-year-old program, and that was the most that we ever did for Halloween,” Erickson said.
This year, WRAP is also partnering with the Arlington County Police Department to host a free DUI awareness event at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Clarendon.
The event at the intersection of N. Hudson Street and Wilson Blvd will challenge participants to compete for a prize in mini-golf while wearing “fatal vision goggles,” demonstrating how alcohol impairs motor skills.
One alcohol-related crash occurred in Arlington last year in the days around Halloween, ACPD spokesperson Ashley Savage said. During the three years prior, a total of two DUI arrests and three alcohol-related crashes happened during Halloween weekends.
“So many people don’t think of Halloween as a ‘drunk driving holiday,’ for lack of a better word, but it is absolutely in the annals of such,” Erickson said.
More, below, from an ACPD press release.
Unlike mummies, vampires and Frankenstein, you have ONE life! Make sure your Halloween doesn’t end in a nightmare by getting behind the wheel after drinking. To help spread the message that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, the Arlington County Police Department, in partnership with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), is hosting a Halloween anti-drunk driving event to highlight the impact alcohol has on motor skills. This free event is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, October 26th at the intersection of N. Hudson Street and Wilson Boulevard, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2018 and 2022, there were 386 people killed in traffic crashes on Halloween night nationwide (6 p.m. October 31 – 5:59 a.m. November 1). In that timeframe, adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (54%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes. That’s why the Arlington County Police Department is reminding community members if you plan on sipping a potion, drinking something BOO-zy or enjoying some witch’s brew, be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance.
Celebrate with a Plan
Don’t let drunk driving haunt your celebrations – if you plan to drink, follow these simple tips for a safe and happy evening:
Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s 2024 Halloween SoberRide® program is offering free rides home, in partnership with Lyft, from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 until 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 27.
If you see a suspected impaired driver on the roadway, report to your local law enforcement. To report a suspected impaired driver in Arlington County, call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.Always remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information, visit the NHTSA website.
Road Closure
N. Hudson Street between Wilson Boulevard and 13th Street N. will be closed from approximately 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM to accommodate this event.
Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs in the area. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed, please use the online portal to find out the status of your vehicle and where it is located. The online portal is updated in real time. If you cannot locate your vehicle or need additional support using the online portal, call the County non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.
