Sumner County, Tennessee – As New Year’s Eve approaches, a time of celebration and joy, it’s crucial to remember the importance of safety, especially regarding drinking and driving. Nashville and surrounding counties in Tennessee are taking proactive steps to ensure that revelers have safe transportation options.
In Nashville, the city is offering several free transportation services for those celebrating the New Year. WeGo, Nashville’s public transit system, will operate a free bus service for people traveling to and from Broadway for the New Year’s Eve bash at Bicentennial Mall. Additionally, over a dozen late-night and early morning bus routes will be available. Notably, the WeGo Star special event train will also be running to accommodate the expected increase in passengers.
These services are part of a broader effort to discourage drinking and driving. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell emphasized the array of transportation options available to Nashvillians, stating, “Please help keep our roadways safe. There are so many options that Nashvillians have that no one should even be thinking about whether they’ll drink and drive.” This statement underlines the city’s commitment to road safety during the festive period.
Outside of Nashville, local law enforcement agencies are also taking unique measures to ensure safety. The Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office, for example, is offering free sober rides home. Sheriff Chris Davis highlighted this service, saying, “You call us…we’re going to find you a way home, but don’t call us when the blue lights are in that rear-view mirror.” This service has been a part of the county’s commitment to community policing for about a decade, reflecting a proactive approach to prevent drunk driving.
Sheriff Davis further elaborated on the philosophy behind the service: “We do this somewhat year-round. I’ve always told people in our community, ‘Look, if you’re out somewhere and you need a ride home and you’re drinking and you take the initiative to call us before you get behind the wheel of a car, we’ll come get you, we’ll get you home.’” He views this as not just a duty but as a way of looking out for the community’s welfare.
In light of the statistic from the Tennessee Department of Health, which reported that 71% of fatalities during last year’s New Year celebrations involved an alcohol-impaired driver, these services are more important than ever.
The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office is also contributing to this cause by offering free sober rides from 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day. For those in need of a ride in Humphreys County, they can call 931-296-2301, option two, while Sumner County residents can call 615-917-7287 for a safe ride home.
These initiatives across Tennessee demonstrate a strong community spirit and a commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve. Whether through public transportation in Nashville or the personal touch of sheriff’s offices in smaller counties, Tennessee is setting an example in prioritizing road safety during one of the busiest nights of the year.
