As everybody knows New Year’s Eve is usually the worst night for drunk drivers. But you don’t have to add to the statistics. Yes, Uber and Lyft prices will be through the roof, and cabs are probably not much better. But there are actually lots of ways to go out and get home safely, and often for free too.
AAA is offering Florida partiers a free “Tow and Go” service that will not just take you home, but also tow your car too. Its limited to a 10 mile radius of where you’re picked up and only 1 masked passenger is allowed in tow vehicles. This year the service is available 24 hours a day from now until 6 am Monday, January 3rd.
Pinellas County is offering free public transport bus rides along many routes until 2 am, and most of them are completely free after 8 pm. “Beginning at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, routes 4, 52, 60, Central Avenue Trolley, Suncoast Beach Trolley, Looper and Jolley Trolley will each be free. These routes will run until 2 a.m. New Year’s Eve into the morning of New Year’s Day.”
You can find the PSTA extended schedules here for New Year’s Eve.
Sarasota County is offering limited Ride Don’t Drive rides on some of their public transport until 1 am.
And you can find other county policies at this link.
But your best bet is always to plan ahead with a designated driver for the night, or if you can afford it, a ride share to get you to the party and, more importantly, back home safely.