New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year, which also makes it one of the most dangerous for driving.
A report by WalletHub says that the average Blood-Alcohol Content of revellers on New Year’s Eve is 0.094 — making it literally the drunkest night of the year too. That’s well above the legal limit for driving, which means that accidents are unfortunately likely, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft will be crowded.
Videos by PopCulture.com
The report also states an average of 42,000 people are hurt in traffic accidents every New Year’s Eve, and about 364 die due to car crashes. If that’s not scary enough for you, their calculations show that the average cost of a DUI arrest is $10,000.
Uber, Lyft, and other taxi services and carpool apps have already warned customers that the holiday will cause a surge in pricing. It’s built into their platform. Experts expect prices to reach their highest between midnight and 3 a.m.
To plan for the prices, Uber suggests sharing a car with friends. They’re pointing out features available to program multiple destinations and split the fair amongst a group. If that’s not logistically efficient for you, the service also has a carpool option that will set you up with strangers headed in the same direction as you.
Uber and Lyft also have several promotions available throughout the weekend depending on what city you’re celebrating in and when you need to travel. Promo codes are available in collaboration with many local police departments. One law firm in Chicago is even promising to reimburse anyone for their Uber ride as a promotional stunt to prevent drunk driving.
The smartphone taxi services aren’t the only ways to get home this year. In many cities, including Portland and Chicago, public transit will be free for several hours overnight to allow everyone to get where they’re going in one piece.
Most Viewed
-

JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Tuesday, June 10 included Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes ("SmartLess"), Bella Ramsey ("The Last of Us"), and musical guest HARDY. (Disney/Randy Holmes) SEAN HAYES, JASON BATEMAN, WILL ARNETT (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) -

L-R: Todd Lasance as AFP Liaison Officer Sergeant Jim 'JD' Dempsey, Olivia Swann as NCIS Special Agent Captain Michelle Mackey, Sean Sagar as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson, Tuuli Narkle as AFP Liaison Officer Constable Evie Cooper and William McInnes as Forensic Pathologist Dr. Roy Penrose in NCIS: Sydney episode 9, season 3 streaming on Paramount+, 2025. Photo Credit: Daniel Asher Smith/Paramount+






