FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
757 Sober Ride for Thanksgiving Eve
Spend Time with Your Friends-Not in Jail
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Hampton Roads, VA. (November 2025 – As people across Hampton Roads join the country in making plans to kick off Thanksgiving on the night before the holiday, popularly known as Thanksgiving Eve or “Drinksgiving”, Drive Safe Hampton Roads and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Drinking and driving is a deadly choice; drivers should always commit to sober driving or make plans for a safe ride.
Drunk driving has tragically become a defining aspect of Thanksgiving Eve, with some people turning it into a night of drinking and driving. According to NHTSA, from 2019 to 2023 (6 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through 5:59 a.m. Thanksgiving morning), 149 drunk drivers were involved in fatal traffic crashes on that night. Of those drivers, 107 were male and 34 were female. Drivers 21-24 were the age group most likely to be alcohol-impaired in fatal crashes on that same night, followed by drivers aged 25-34 (37%). In 2023 alone, there were 30 drunk drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes on Thanksgiving Eve, with 17 of the drivers being males. Fortunately, Hampton Roads did not contribute to these national fatality numbers, however, there were crashes and potentially life changing injuries that did occur.
If you do plan to celebrate with alcohol, make a plan. Never drive while impaired, and do not let a friend drive if they have been drinking or using drugs. There is never an excuse to drive under the influence. Arrange a sober ride home or use DSHR’s 757 Sober Ride by visiting www.drivesafehr.org/757-sober-ride.
Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is sponsoring 757 Sober Ride for The Thanksgiving Eve:
- 5 PM Wednesday, November 26 – 3 AM Thursday, November 27
Powered by Lyft, individuals 21 and older celebrating with alcohol, legal or illegal drugs may take advantage of this ride, up to $15, by following these steps:
- Download the Lyft app to your cell phone.
- Go to drivesafehr.org/757-sober-ride to get the 757 Sober Ride promo code.
- DSHR’s 757 Sober Ride campaign promo codes will be posted at 5 PM on each day of the campaign for the individual sessions (codes are not interchangeable with the sessions).
- Enter the 757 Sober Ride promo code in the app’s “Payment” tab (under the “Add Lyft Pass” option).
- Receive a sober ride home, up to $15 off the Lyft price.
The codes will only work if used during the above-stated times for rides originating from or having a destination within Hampton Roads. Valid while supplies last. Subject to Lyft’s Terms of Service.
Celebrate responsibly by choosing 757 Sober Ride or designating a driver before drinking. Remember,” Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” and impaired driving crashes and the injuries and deaths associated with them are 100% preventable! “These tragic events highlight the urgent need for everyone to plan with safety in mind,” said Brian Hennessy, Chair, Drive Safe Hampton Roads’ Impaired Driving Prevention Committee. Hennessy went on to say, “When you get on the road you are pledging to use safe driving practices to keep everyone safe. The night commonly referred to as “Drinksgiving” is no exception. Plan ahead of time for a sober designated driver or take advantage of the 757 Sober Ride program before you leave the house. These simple things help keep everyone on the road safe and ensure they have a memorable Thanksgiving holiday season.
DSHR asks the media not to post the campaign’s promo codes online, but to link to the Drive Safe Hampton Roads’ website (www.drivesafehr.org/757-sober-ride).
Supporters of the 2025 757 Sober Ride campaigns are Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law and funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is a non-profit regional coalition whose mission is to improve roadway safety and reduce death and injury from vehicle crashes using initiatives that include educational programs, information sharing, and partnerships with public and private sector organizations. For over 37 years, Drive Safe Hampton Roads has been dedicated to preventing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the region’s roadways. DSHR is the oldest, continuous traffic safety coalition in the Commonwealth. For more information: www.drivesafehr.org or call (757) 498-2562.
Media Contact:
Jim McElligott
Impaired Driving Admin. Coordinator
Drive Safe Hampton Roads
Email: [email protected]
Voice Mail: 757-498-2562