This New Year's Eve the Safe Ride Program once again is providing would-be drunk drivers with free cab fare throughout the weekend. This large scale effort to reduce drunk driving fatalities provided by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program is in its 18th year. Last New Year's Eve the program provided about 1,000 free taxis within the greater DC area.

By calling 1-800-200-TAXI, drunken party-goers can get a free ride home up to a value of $30. The ride must originate in the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties in Virginia; and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park.

Service hours are between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am and the program runs tonight the 30th and tomorrow night, New Year's Eve. A few things to remember:

• You cannot reserve ahead or call to schedule a pickup in advance; the call must originate during program hours and will be dispatched as soon as a taxi is available,


• You must pay any fare amount in excess of $30,


• The free ride does not include tip and you should remember to tip your driver in relation to the total fare amount, and


• You must be 21 or older to ride with the service

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Participating taxi companies include: Alexandria Yellow Cab (Alexandria), Fairfax Yellow Cab (Fairfax County), Loudoun Yellow Cab (Eastern Loudoun County), Manassas Cab Company (Prince William County), Red Top Cab Company (Arlington County), Yellow Cab of District of Columbia (District of Columbia), and Yellow Cab of Prince William County (Prince William County). When waiting for your ride, watch for a taxi from a participating company from your area.

This weekend the streets will be flooded with police officers looking for drunk drivers. Protect yourself and your passengers by planning appropriate transportation. Have a designated driver or take public transport or hire a car; but if none of those options are available, Safe Ride is. Have a safe and happy New Year and call 1-800-200-TAXI to avoid risking DUI.

Law clerk Rosie Brown wrote this blog post. Price Benowitz LLP is a DC based law firm handling criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury cases. For more information about the firms expanding personal injury practice, please visit the Virginia Accident Lawyer and Maryland Accident Attorney websites.