New Year’s Eve can be one of the most dangerous nights of the year to drive, leading law enforcement officials to encourage Santa Clarita residents to make sure they have a way to get home safely.

The safest place to drink alcohol is at home, but party-goers should always have a designated driver when going out if there is alcohol involved, according to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials.

There are multiple options around the Santa Clarita Valley if one cannot drive or does not want to ride with an unsafe driver.

Popular ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft are always an option. Just download the app and a driver will arrive at a GPS location.

Riders should expect to pay “surge prices,” which are 1.5 to 3 times more during peak times and holidays. Rides are most popular during the hours of midnight and 3 a.m., according to Uber’s website.

That cost is much less than a potential driving under the influence (DUI) arrest, according to law enforcement officials.

The cost of a DUI can be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, with much of the cost and punitive action up to the court, Sheriff’s Station officials said.

In an effort to keep the roads safer, AAA is also expected to offer a “tipsy tow service” from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Residents can call 1-800-400-4222 for a free tow home for up to seven miles. Callers simply tell the auto club operators, “I need a tipsy tow,” to receive the free tow and ride home.

Keep in mind that the service excludes rides for passengers and is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver, with the destination limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted.

For rides further than seven miles, drivers can expect to pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor.

“Plan ahead,” said Sgt. Scott Shoemaker of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in a previous story. “If you’re attending holiday gatherings and planning on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver or have a ride-sharing app downloaded on your phone—and be ready to use it.”

The California Highway Patrol is also preparing to observe the New Year with a Maximum Enforcement Period in an effort to improve holiday road safety across the state, including Santa Clarita.

The Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) is scheduled to last until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2020.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and spend time with friends and family,” said Shoemaker. “Please celebrate responsibly. It’s never OK to drive impaired.”

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