Delaware Kicks Off Holiday Travel Safety Campaign With Sober Ride Vouchers

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety encourages residents to “Don’t Be A Turkey” and use a free Sober Ride Voucher to get home safely this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Sober Ride vouchers are available to help make that decision easier, and officials hope the added convenience encourages more people to take advantage of the program.

Jamie Kleman Contributing Writer Delaware Live | November 2025

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety has officially launched its annual holiday road safety campaign featuring the Sober Ride Vouchers, an effort designed to reduce crashes during what is consistently one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year. With more cars on the road, celebrations that involve alcohol, unpredictable weather, and increased foot traffic, state officials say the timing could not be more important.

The campaign features two major components. The first is the popular Sober Rides program, which provides up to $20 in ride-share credits through Lyft and Uber. The program is designed to provide residents with a simple and reliable way to choose a safe ride home. The first voucher window opens on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 26, beginning at 3 p.m. and running through 3 a.m. the following morning. Additional voucher periods will roll out through the holiday season, including New Year’s Eve, which historically brings a spike in impaired driving.

The second component, Safe Holiday Travels, focuses on five core safety areas: impaired driving, speeding, occupant protection, distracted driving, and pedestrian awareness. Through community outreach and informational materials, the initiative encourages drivers and pedestrians to stay alert, slow down, and make intentional, responsible choices.

OHS Director Sharon Bryson emphasized that the holiday season brings a unique blend of risks. She noted that festivities often involve alcohol, families travel between gatherings and crowded shopping areas significantly increase the number of pedestrians. She said the goal of the campaign is to keep the holidays safe for everyone by offering tools, information and accessible alternatives to unsafe driving.

Between 2020 and 2024, Delaware recorded 641 fatal crashes, with 39 percent involving alcohol or drugs. In 2024 alone, the state saw 1,033 impaired driving crashes. Officials say these numbers reinforce the need for programs that not only educate but also provide practical solutions for residents.

As part of the outreach effort, street teams will be positioned across all three counties. Teams will visit bars, restaurants, liquor stores, YMCAs, DMVs, and other high-traffic areas to distribute educational materials in both English and Spanish. Messaging will focus on simple reminders to plan, buckle up, avoid distractions, and be mindful of pedestrians.

For Delaware residents heading out to celebrate this week, the reminder is straightforward. Make a plan, know your options, and choose the safest way home. The Sober Rides vouchers are available to help make that decision easier, and officials hope the added convenience encourages more people to take advantage of the program

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