Celebrate Responsibly This Holiday Season

Drunk driving is the No. 1 cause of road deaths in Arlington, with alcohol factoring in 75% of fatal injury traffic crashes since 2022. We can prevent unnecessary tragedy this holiday season if everyone steps up to stop drunk driving. 

The County’s Vision Zero team and the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) have launched a new anti-drunk driving campaign this month to educate the community on ways that every person can help stop a friend, family member, colleague or even a stranger from driving while impaired. 

The anti-drunk driving campaign includes distribution of flyers and coasters at bars and restaurants across Arlington to help share the tools to have tough but necessary conversations about drunk driving with family, friends, guests and colleagues on the resource page.   

Everyone can play a role in stopping drunk driving and saving lives this holiday season. Here’s how to help in Arlington County: 

If you’re drinking:  

• Designate a driver. Plan for someone to remain sober ahead of an outing for a safe drive home. 

• Use public transportation. Arlington County offers multiple public transportation options including WMATA Metrorail/Metrobus as well as Arlington Transit (ART) buses. 

• Take a rideshare or a taxi. Use Uber, Lyft or local taxi services as driving alternatives. 

• Use SoberRide® during select holidays. SoberRide® is a free service that helps people get home safely after drinking. It’s available in the Washington, D.C., area on holidays when people are more likely to drink and drive. 

• Leave your car if you’ve had too much to drink. Going back for your car the next day is a smarter choice than risking hurting someone or spending the night in jail. 

• Check with trusted friends or family. If you have a trusted friend or family member who lives nearby, ask if they can pick you up and give you a ride home or if you can stay with them for the night. 

• Don’t operate a bike, e-scooter or e-bike while impaired. While these vehicles are an alternative to driving, they can travel at speeds high enough to cause major injuries. 

If you’re serving or hosting:  

• Confirm that all people obtaining alcoholic beverages are at least 21 years old. 

• Monitor alcohol consumption. 

• Promote safe transportation options by displaying safe-ride programs in the bar/restaurant. 

• Offer incentives for designated drivers, such as discounts on non-alcoholic drinks. 

• Offer non-driving options for your guests. 

• Have a jar for car keys that’s monitored by staff.   

• Mindfully serve drinks to ensure no one is over served and provide food/water to slow the absorption of alcohol. 

If you suspect an impaired driver is on our roads, contact ACPD at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.  

As part of the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, ACPD and law enforcement nationwide will be conducting increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers during the holiday season. 

For more information on the County’s ongoing transportation safety work, visit the Vision Zero program page.