How To Drive Safely on New Year's Eve

Keep New Year’s safety tips in mind when driving home after holiday celebrations, as roads can be riskier with more tired or drunk drivers on the road, poor visibility and inclement weather. Filing a car insurance claim is the last thing you want when kicking off the new year!

Keep reading to learn common dangers you may see on the road during New Year’s Eve and how to stay safe behind the wheel.

On This Page

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  Is It Dangerous To Drive on New Year’s Eve?

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  What Are the Most Common Driving Dangers on New Year’s Eve?

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  New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for Drivers

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  FAQs

Is It Dangerous To Drive on New Year’s Eve?

Driving on New Year's Eve can be more dangerous than other nights, partly due to the higher presence of drunk drivers, traffic congestion and bad weather. It’s estimated that the 2025 New Year’s Day holiday period — spanning Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 — may see 179 deaths on U.S. roads.^[1]

Many of these crashes are influenced by alcohol, which is a more common part of celebrations and social events around the winter holidays.^[2]

How Many DUIs Happen on New Year’s Eve?

Drunk driving can be frequent around the winter holidays, with 281 drunk-driving-related fatalities during the New Year’s and Christmas holiday period in 2022.^[3] Drivers should always designate a sober driver or arrange a rideshare service if they plan on drinking during the New Year’s holiday. In addition, all drivers should drive extra defensively and be watchful for other drivers who may be drunk.

What Are the Most Common Driving Dangers on New Year’s Eve?

Weather and other drivers always pose a risk when you’re on the road, especially during the holidays. Below, we’ll briefly discuss common concerns when driving on New Year’s Eve.

Drunk Drivers

Since alcohol typically sees higher-than-average consumption around the holidays, there may be a higher rate of drunk drivers on New Year’s Eve. If you must drive after the midnight toast, then be sure to drive extra carefully.

Increased Traffic

New Year’s Eve traffic can be higher than usual since people may travel to other places to celebrate. Higher traffic volumes can lead to more New Year’s Eve accidents, especially when combined with less-than-sober drivers on the road.

Snow, Ice or Freezing Conditions

During winter, some areas may see rain, snow and potentially heavy winds, making driving dangerous. For example, between 2019 and 2023, it’s estimated that 12% of car accidents, 11% of accident injuries and 9% of all crash fatalities each year are due to weather conditions.^[4]

If you’re driving home after a New Year’s event, first check the weather forecast on your phone or the news to see if there’s inclement weather you might run into. If there is, holding off traveling until the weather passes might be best.

Darkness

Ringing in the new year involves staying up until midnight, and driving at night doesn’t offer the best visibility conditions. As a result, make sure your headlights are properly functioning and your windshield is clear. If possible, drive to your destination when the sun is still out and consider staying overnight at the host's home for the New Year’s party.

Fatigue

Some drivers may be tired from celebrating the new year after staying up all night. This can lead to poor judgment, as drivers will try to fight through their sleepiness instead of resting or grabbing a coffee. Dozing off while driving can easily lead to accidents.

Distractions

The excitement and distractions of New Year's celebrations can divert a driver’s attention from the road. These can include fireworks, bonfires or loud partygoers who have wandered into the street for fresh air.

New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for Drivers

Below are several safe driving tips and other ways to prepare for this New Year's holiday, from having emergency supplies ready to utilizing public transportation.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Even one drink can impair coordination, reaction time and decision-making.^[5] To safely enjoy cocktails on New Year’s Eve and avoid drunk driving:

• Preplan a designated driver when going out with a group, such as a sober friend who doesn’t drink.
• Host at home, and if guests drink, offer to have them stay over.
• Confiscate the keys of anyone who has been drinking or arrange a rideshare service for them.
• If you're hosting, stop serving alcohol after a specific time before the party ends to allow guests to sober up.

Have an Emergency Kit Ready

Maintain a well-stocked safety kit to prepare for car breakdowns and other emergencies. This kit should include basic first-aid supplies, bottled water and non-perishable food items. Other items may also include blankets, phone chargers and flashlights.

Ensure your vehicle has jumper cables in case another car or truck passes by. You can also purchase a mobile jumper kit to start your battery without needing another vehicle.

Adding roadside assistance to your auto policy may also be a good idea, as it can help you replace a tire, jump-start your car and provide other forms of help if you’re stranded on the side of the road.

Be Cautious When Driving at Night

Nighttime driving demands extra caution due to the possibility of running into cars with high-intensity discharge (HID) and LED headlights, which can be roughly four to five times brighter than standard headlights with halogen bulbs.^[6] The increased intensity can create a visual hazard while driving. To mitigate this:

• Avoid staring into oncoming vehicle lights.
• Keep your windshield clean to reduce glare.
• Do not exceed the speed limit.
• Pull over if needed to allow other drivers to pass.
• Slow down when driving in the dark.

Avoid Peak Traffic Times

Late afternoons to the earliest hours after midnight typically have the highest rates of accidents, with 46% of motor vehicle crash deaths occurring from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. the next morning in 2023. Try your best to avoid driving during these time windows, as only 21% of motor vehicle fatalities occurred between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. that same year.^[7]

Stay Alert in Crowded Places

Keep yourself alert for pedestrians, especially when driving on busy streets or in residential areas where people might be gathering to celebrate the new year. People walking around on New Year's may not pay as much attention to traffic laws or crosswalk signals due to distractions from fireworks, conversations with friends or being tipsy. Crowds may also distract other drivers, so keep your eyes focused on your surroundings.

Consider Rideshare Options

Use public transportation, like a local cab company or a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, to avoid driving altogether. If you’ve had a celebratory glass of champagne or are feeling too exhausted from a busy day, it may be best to call someone else to drive you home.

Consider planning ahead before you head out for the evening by asking someone to drop you off at your engagement, then scheduling a rideshare service in advance to pick you up when you expect you’ll be ready to leave. This also lets you avoid parking your car in an unfamiliar neighborhood and helps keep it safe from potential theft or vandalism.