Arlington is offering free rides from Halloween parties this weekend

Free rides home will be available in Arlington and other areas of DC this weekend.

Regional SoberRide programprovided through a partnership between Lyft and the Washington Regional Alcohol Prevention Program, will offer one free ride valued up to $15 per customer.

In total, up to 2,500 rides will be available between 4:00 p.m. Saturday and 4:00 a.m. Sunday. A Lyft promo code will appear on SoberRide.com on Saturday at 3 p.m

The campaign against drunk driving takes place on the weekend before Halloween. Around this time last year, SoberRide posted a record 1,321 rides, WRAP President Kurt Erickson told ARLnow.

“The only reason it stands out is because it’s a 33-year-old program, and it was the biggest thing we’ve ever done on Halloween,” Erickson said.

This year, WRAP is also partnering with the Arlington County Police Department to host a free alcohol awareness event at 8pm on Saturday in Clarendon.

The event at the intersection of N. Hudson Street and Wilson Blvd. will lead to a mini-golf contest in “fatality glasses,” demonstrating how alcohol impairs motor skills.

One alcohol-related crash occurred in Arlington last year on Halloween, ACPD spokesman Ashley Savage said. A total of two DUI arrests and three alcohol-related crashes in the past three years happened during the Halloween weekend.

“A lot of people don’t think of Halloween as a ‘drunk driving holiday,’ for lack of a better word, but it’s absolutely in the annals of those,” Erickson said.

More, below, from the 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 drunk driving is drunk driving, the Arlington County Police Department, in partnership with the Washington Regional Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (WRAP), is hosting an anti-drink driving event on Halloween to highlight the effects of alcohol on motor skills This free event is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, October 26th at the corner of N. Hudson Street and Wilson Blvd., starting at 8:00 p.m.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2018 to 2022, 386 people died in crashes nationwide on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1). During this period, adults aged 21 to 34 had the highest percentage (54%) of drunk driving fatalities. That’s why the Arlington County Police Department is reminding members of the community that if you plan on sipping a potion, drinking something BOO-zy or enjoying a witch’s potion, be sure to arrange sober transportation home in advance.

Celebrate according to plan

Don’t let drink driving get in the way of your celebrations – if you’re planning to drink, follow these simple tips to ensure a safe and happy evening:

Remember that you should never sit behind the wheel while intoxicated. Even if you’ve only had one drink of alcohol, arrange for a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a delivery service to get home safely.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program 2024 Halloween SoberRide® in partnership with Lyft is offering free rides home from 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 26th through 4:00 a.m. Sunday, October 27th.

If you see a suspected impaired driver on the road, notify local law enforcement. To report a suspected impaired driver in Arlington County, call the Emergency Services Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Do you have a friend who is about to get behind the wheel while drunk? Collect the keys and make sure your friend gets home safely.

Always remember: noisy driving is drunk driving. For more information, visit the NHTSA website.

Road closure

N. Hudson Street between Wilson Boulevard and N. 13th Street will be closed from approximately 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM for this event.

Drivers should pay attention to temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be fined or towed. If your vehicle is evacuated, please use the online portal to find out about the condition of your vehicle and its location. The online portal is updated in real time. If you can’t find your vehicle or need additional assistance using the online portal, call the county’s non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.